Naorem Mahesh Singh

Naorem Mahesh Singh (born 3 March 1999) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Indian Super League club East Bengal and the India national team.

Early career
Born in Manipur, Singh began his career in his home state with Birchandra Memorial Sporting Club. He soon joined the youth side of Shillong Lajong, playing for the club in the Shillong Premier League.

Shillong Lajong
Prior to the 2018–19 season, Singh was promoted to the first-team. He made his professional debut for Shillong Lajong on 28 October 2018 against Aizawl. He scored a brace, two goals in the 20th and 51st minutes, as Shillong Lajong won 2–1.

Kerala Blasters
In 2018, it was announced that Naorem had signed for the Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters from Shillong Lajong F.C. Mahesh was part of Reserve squad of the club. Eventhough he impressed then Blasters assistant coach Ishfaq Ahmed, Mahesh never made an appearance for Kerala Blasters. He was loaned out to different clubs during his stint at Blasters.

Sudeva FC (loan)
In 2021, Mahesh was loaned to the I league side Sudeva Delhi for a season-long deal for getting enough playing time. He made 14 appearances and scored two goals for the club.

On loan from Kerala
Mahesh was loaned to Kolkata based club East Bengal in 2021. He made 18 appearances and scored 2 goals for them in the 2021–22 Indian Super League season.

Permanent transfer
On 4 August 2022, Kerala Blasters announced the transfer of Mahesh to East Bengal for an undisclosed transfer fee. On 18 November 2022, he scored against Odisha at the Salt Lake Stadium in a 2–4 loss for East Bengal. He bragged man of the match against Jamshedpur on 27 November 2022 after becoming the first Indian player to get three assists in a single Indian Super League game. He scored again on 19 February 2023, against the Shield Champions Mumbai City at the Mumbai Football Arena in a 1–0 win for East Bengal.

In the 2023–24 season, Mahesh became runner-up in the 2023 Durand Cup, and on 23 September 2023, it was announced that Mahesh had signed a three-year extension with East Bengal till 2027. He scored his first goal of the 2023 Indian Super League against Bengaluru on 3 October in a 2–1 defeat away at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. He scored again on 21 October 2023 against Goa in a 1–2 loss at the Kalinga Stadium. Mahesh won the 2024 Indian Super Cup with East Bengal, having returned from the national team in time for the final of the tournament, and provide an assist for Nandhakumar Sekar as East Bengal won 3–2 against Odisha to end a twelve year wait for a major domestic trophy for the club.

International career
On 14 March 2023, Singh was named amongst the eleven reserves for Indian senior squad for upcoming Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament. Five days later, he was called up to the Indian senior camp for the first time, in place of Sivasakthi Narayanan, who withdrew through an injury. He made his debut against Myanmar on 22 March, replacing Lallianzuala Chhangte after 70 minutes in a 1–0 victory. Mahesh got his second appearance against Kyrgyzstan on 28 March, replacing Brandon Fernandes after 56 minute in a 2–0 victory.

On 24 June 2023, Mahesh got his first goal for the national team against Nepal in a 2–0 victory. On 7 September, he scored his second goal in a 2(4)–2(5) semi-final loss against Iraq at the 2023 King's Cup. On 13 October 2023, Mahesh got his third goal against Malaysia in the 2023 Merdeka Tournament in a 2–4 loss in the semi-final.

International goals

 * India score listed first, score column indicates score after each Singh's goal.

Honours
India
 * Tri-Nation Friendly Series: 2023
 * Intercontinental Cup: 2023
 * SAFF Championship: 2023

 Kerala Blasters B
 * Kerala Premier League: 2019–20

 East Bengal
 * Super Cup: 2024
 * Durand Cup runner-up: 2023

Individual
 * Indian Super League Emerging Player of the Month: November 2022