Contents
Pappachen Pradeep is a former Indian professional footballer turned pundit. Pradeep started his football career as a forward but established himself as one of the best midfielders to play for the country. He played every position except goalkeeping and was known for his versatility and agility.
Wiki/Biography
Naduparambil Pappachen Pradeep was born on Thursday, 28 April 1983 (age 40 years as of 2023) in Moolamattom, Idukki, Kerala, India. He did not have financial security during his childhood and his parents worked hard to support the family. Pradeep was fond of football from a young age and at the age of 17, he was signed by State Bank of Travancore Football Club. Pradeep enjoyed tremendous success in the Indian national football team and also captained India U23.
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 8″
Hair Color: Black
Eye colour: black
NP Pradeep in 2022
Family
NP Pradeep comes from an ordinary Malayali family in Moolamattam, Idukki, Kerala. After his marriage, he shifted to Kannur, Kerala, India.
parents and siblings
NP Pradeep’s father’s name is Pappachen, who passed away. His mother’s name is Savitri. Pradeep has two sisters, Preeti and Deepti.
wife and children
He is married to Beulah. She hails from Kannur, Kerala, India. They got married on 26 December 2008. The couple has a daughter named Ann Jerrika.
Pradeep with his wife Beulah
livelihood
soccer
Pradeep started his career as an attacker, but his coaches used him in different positions and he played like a natural player in all those positions. Pradeep’s versatility has given him advantages everywhere he goes, he has excelled in different positions and helped his team. He was famous for scoring stunning long-range goals with his powerful left foot, perhaps his most important being the goal he scored in the 2007 Nehru Cup final for India. He is often called the ‘Steven Gerrard of India’ due to his ability to score spectacular goals from long range.
Pradeep during his tenure with Viva Kerala
domestic football
Pradeep struggled hard in his early days as a professional footballer. Lack of financial means was a major hindrance in his progress professionally. When SBT signed him, he jumped at the chance and made the most of it. Later, he became one of India’s best footballers. He also found success with top clubs and the Indian national team.
State Bank of Travancore Football Club
State Bank of Travancore Football Club signed the attacker when he was just 17 years old. It was during this period that he was converted into a midfielder position. Pradeep, who was agile and had good goalscoring skills, established himself as one of the highest scoring midfielders. During his time at SBT, he helped them win four Kerala League titles. He also represented Kerala Under 17 and Under 21 teams during his time at SBT. Pradeep was part of the State Bank of Travancore Football Club between 2002 and 2006. In 2006, Pradeep emerged as a top transfer target for several clubs playing in the National League, and Mumbai-based Mahindra United showed the most interest.
Mahindra United
Pradeep joined Mahindra United to play in the National League. His performance and versatility were the major factors that led Mahindra United to sign him; He joined the club during the 2006–2007 season. He was part of the club until the end of the 2009–2010 season after which the management decided to disband the team. Pradeep was able to develop different aspects of his game during this period, when he often played as a fullback. After spending five years at the club, he said goodbye to the fans after the last match of the 2009–2010 season.
Viva Kerala
After finding himself without a club, Pradeep signed with Viva Kerala in 2010. He played for them in the 2010–2011 season and left them at the end of that season.
mohun bagan
Pradeep joined Mohun Bagan after spending a season at Viva Kerala. He completed his move from VIva Kerala at the end of the 2010–2011 season. The contract was for one season, he struggled to get a chance to play on the field and found himself on the Mohun Bagan bench. Pradeep decided to leave Mohun Bagan at the end of the 2011–2012 season in order to get more minutes.
Mumbai Tigers FC
Pradeep joined Mumbai Tigers FC (formerly known as Dodsal FC) at the start of the 2012–2013 season, hoping to prove himself as he failed to do so at Mohun Bagan. Some reports suggest that then coach Bimal Ghosh and Pradeep’s liking for the city were the main factors that led him to sign him for Mumbai Tigers FC. He played one season at the club and regained his form; He was able to secure a transfer to Mumbai Football Club at the end of the season.
Mumbai Football Club
Pradeep signed with Mumbai Football Club in the 2013–2014 season. He was part of the club during 2013–2016 and also spent a loan spell at Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League. Mumbai was his last club as he announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2015–2016 season.
Chennai
NP Pradeep was part of the inaugural season (2014) of the Indian Super League Cup. He joined Chennaiyin FC on loan from Mumbai Football Club.
Chennaiyin announced the signing of NP Pradeep on their Facebook page.
Fans were happy to finalize the deal with Kerala over their rivals Kerala Blasters. His experience was vital to the team in his first season. However, he did not make many appearances for the club and left at the end of the season after the loan deal expired. This was their final season in the Indian Super League, and they never participated in the tournament again.
international career
He made his international debut for India U20 in 2004 and was also selected for the U23 team. Pradeep captained India’s U17, U20 and U23 teams. He won a silver medal with India U20 at the 2004 South Asian Games. Many considered him to be a player who had the potential to break IM Vijayan’s record. He received his first international call-up in 2005 during the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup in Bangladesh, where India finished as winners; He was also part of the Indian team that finished runners-up in the SAFF Cup in 2008. The then Indian coach Bob Houghton initially used Pradeep as a left-back, but he reverted back to his midfield position. 2007 Nehru Cup started. The 2007 Nehru Cup competition proved to be a turning point in Pradeep’s international career as he established himself as a regular starter for the team after a stellar campaign. He scored the first goal for India in the Nehru Cup and added to his goal tally in the final against Syria, helping India win its first Nehru Cup.
NP Pradeep celebrating after scoring a goal in the Nehru Cup final (2007)
When he returned to Kerala after winning the Nehru Cup in 2007, he was welcomed as a hero. Pradeep’s performance in the 2007 Nehru Cup was praised by critics and fans alike. He won the Nehru Cup again with the Indian national football team in 2009. He was part of the Indian football team that won the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which qualified them for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. During the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Pradeep played a key defensive role for the Indian football team. He was able to put on personal performances that caught the attention of many people; However, India failed to win any of its group matches and were eliminated from the competition. After 2011, Pradeep did not get any chance to represent India after which he announced his retirement; Injuries made it impossible for him to continue at the international level.
post retirement
After announcing his retirement from professional football, he worked as a scout for the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC). In 2016, it was announced that he was appointed as the official player scout for Indian Super League team Kerala Blasters. He has worked as a commentator for Star Sports Network.
NP Pradeep with IM Vijayan and Joe Paul Anchery during Hero ISL Season 6
Facts/General Knowledge
- He played in a fundraiser match with IM Vijayan to help the family of late Dhanarajan, who died while playing a football match in Kerala. Dhanaranjan was a former professional footballer who played in the I-League.
There was amazing atmosphere yesterday in Vaniambalam-Kerala.. Very well organized. Thanks for this great initiative @IMVijayan1 Special thanks to Joe for this benefit match to help the Dhanraj family and to Pradeep and Yashick for organizing the entire event successfully.#RIPDhanraj pic.twitter.com/U7ozkbtpEG
– Ramanvijayan (@vijayan04) 13 January 2020
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn