'Mumbai City made my career,' says Bipin Singh

Indian football owes a lot to the northeastern region.

From constantly producing talented footballers in the country and having strong grassroots in place to keeping the process sustainable, the northeast has been pivotal in the development of Indian football. 

One such player who comes from the northeastern state of Manipur and has become a key member of the Indian Super League (ISL) club Mumbai City FC is Bipin Singh Thounaojam. 

The 29-year-old winger has been key for Mumbai City and is the club's third highest goal scorer, with 25 goals in 111 appearances for the club. 

"I joined Mumbai City in 2018, this is my sixth year with them. They made my career," said Bipin Singh, in an exclusive interview with The Bridge. 

Coming through the ranks

Before Mumbai City, Bipin Singh had to navigate through the grassroots of Manipur football. 

"I started playing football in my village at the age of six or seven. Slowly after a few years, I joined football coaching and started playing at higher levels, from district to state and so on."

Soon, Bipin started making waves and at age 13, he was part of the Wafa Wangoi Club, one of Manipur's most famous youth clubs.

He spent three years there and as a 17-year old, the I-League club Shillong Lajong came calling. 

"In 2012, I joined Shillong Lajong, where I spent five years. After that, I joined ATK in 2017-18 before joining Mumbai City FC in 2018," he added. 

He was very appreciative of his family's support as he climbed the ranks in football, saying that "my father used to drop me whenever I want to go play football. They were very supportive throughout my journey."

Breakthrough in MCFC

Although Bipin had been part of the I-League and ISL, he was yet to make a name for himself and stand out, and that was when Mumbai City came knocking in. 

After an initial two years where he was not really a part of the starting team but slowly, in his third year, he became much more prominent in the Mumbai City backline, becoming an important part of the defensive unit under head coach Sergio Lobera. 

"My first two seasons, I did not contribute much, my level was not quite there yet. But slowly, I became better and in my third season, when Lobera came, I started playing well, helping with goals, assists and my overall game improved as well," he said. 

He also spoke about how important of a role the club played in his career, stating that "I was able to win multiple trophies with this club, and scored important goals for the club as well. I got selected to play for India based on my performances for Mumbai City."

"Mumbai City made my career, I could say," he added. 

The crowning moment of Bipin's ISL stint with Mumbai City FC would undoubtedly be his match-winning goal in the 2021 ISL final. 

Playing against ATK Mohun Bagan, with the score tied at 1-1, Bipin Singh scored the match-winning goal in the 90th minute, winning the final and his first trophy with the club. 

"That (the final against ATK Mohun Bagan) was my first final. I scored in the 90th minute, the winning goal. It is my most famed memory at this club and also my most memorable goal as well," Bipin said. 

Donning the Indian blue 

Any Indian footballer's biggest aspiration would be to represent their country at the international stage, and for Bipin Singh, thanks to his wonderful performances in 2021, the national team call-up became a reality. 

For Bipin, it was even more special since he never got to represent India at the junior level as well. 

"It was a dream to play for India as I never represented India at the junior levels. I gave trials at the under-13 but was not selected. It is a different feeling to wear the Indian jersey and to play for the country," he said. 

"When I got my call up, I called my friends and family and shared that moment with them. It was a proud moment for me," he added. 

He made his international debut on March 25, 2021, in India's 1-1 draw against Oman. 

In his sixth year at the club, Bipin Singh has so far made 111 appearances, scoring 25 goals.

Signed on a four-year deal in 2021, his contract is set to conclude in 2025.

While it remains to be seen whether the association between the two will continue beyond 2025, the journey thus far has been a memorable one.