Nirmal Chettri

Nirmal Chettri (born 21 October 1990 in Melli, Sikkim) is an Indian footballer who plays mainly as a defender and last played for Southern Samity in the Calcutta Football League.

Early career
Chettri began his footballing career in 2000 with Namchi Sports Hostel after being discovered in the Sikkim governments Search for More Bhaichung's campaign (In reference to then India striker and Sikkimese-born Baichung Bhutia). In 2002 Chettri played for Namchi in the Subroto Cup where he led the team to the final, only to lose to Mizoram 1–2. He then represented Namchi in the Interreligious Peace Sports Festival in South Korea in 2004. In that same year he represented Namchi in the Chief Minister Gold Cup. Within those three years Chettri won 3 National Talent Scholarships from the AIFF. In 2005 Chettri joined Sports Academy of Sikkim and competed in the Mini SAARC. Chettri also played for Sikkim in the 2006–07 Santosh Trophy. After good performances with Sikkim Chettri was scouted and signed for Air India FC of the I-League in 2007. He stayed at Air India till 2008.

East Bengal
In 2008 Chettri signed for East Bengal F.C. of the I-League. He made his Asian debut in the AFC Cup in 2010 against Al-Ittihad Aleppo of Syria on 10 March. During a friendly match against FC Bayern Munich under 23s at Barasat, their manager Gerd Müller praised Chettri saying that "East Bengal's number three (Nirmal Chettri) was brilliant". Chettri replied to this by saying, "I am delighted with his (Gerd Muller) compliment as he was such a great player. It is always good to get such praise from great players but I will not get carried away and will work hard as I have a long way to go." He has established himself as a regular in East Bengal's first team sense.

Mohun Bagan
On 19 May 2012 Chettri signed with arch-rivals Mohun Bagan of the I-League. He made a dream debut in the green & maroon jersey scoring McDowell Mohun Bagan's opening goal in their 6–0 thrashing of West Bengal Police in the Calcutta Premier Division.

Chettri made his professional debut for Mohun Bagan on 20 September 2012 against Churchill Brothers during the club's opening match in the 2012 Indian Federation Cup where the club drew the match 0–0. On 12 May 2013 in the last match of the 2012-13 I-League, he was assisted by Denson Devadas on the 5th minute to score the 1st goal in the 3–0 victory over United Sikkim F.C. at the Paljor Stadium.

Mohammedan
On 26 November 2013 it was announced that Nirmal has signed for Mohammedan on loan from IMG RELIANCE.

Kerala Blasters
Kerala blasters have picked Nirmal for the upcoming ISL football league.

Dempo (loan)
After the 2014 season, Chettri signed with Dempo in the I-League on loan for the whole season.

FC Goa
Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Chettri was signed by FC Goa.

Youth
Chettri has earned caps for the India youth team at U17 and U23 level. Chettri also trained with the Under-14 team in Jharkhand in 2003 and 2004. Chettri represented the U17 team during the team's exposure trip to Portugal in 2005. Chettri was then selected for the India U23 team that was selected to take part in the 2009 SAFF Championship which the India senior team choose not to play in SAFF Cup due to practice arrangements for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. He came on in the 115th minute in the final against Maldives on 13 December 2009 in which India U23 won on penalties 3–1. Nirmal missed his penalty and Maldives missed their penalties 3 times.

Chettri played for India U23 as well during the 2012 Olympic Qualifiers. He played in India U23's first match of qualification against Myanmar U23 on 23 February 2011. India U23 won 2–1.

Senior
Chettri made his senior international debut for India during the 2011 SAFF Championship against Bhutan on 5 December 2011, India won the match 5–0. Chettri then proceeded to play in India's next 4 games in the tournament which ended with the Final against Afghanistan on 11 December 2011 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The game ended 4–0 in India's favour, thus giving Chettri his first major honour with the senior national team. Chettri was then selected in the India squad for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. During the tournament Chettri only played in one match and that was the last match against North Korea on 13 March 2012. India lost the match 0–4 but that did not matter as India was knock-out at the Group stage before the match. Nirmal has been a regular under new India coach Wim Koevermans also and played an important role in India's Nehru Cup 2012 triumph.

International

 * Statistics accurate as of 9 April 2015

Honours
East Bengal
 * Federation Cup (India): 2009, 2010; runner-up: 2011


 * Calcutta Premier Division: 2010, 2011


 * Indian Super Cup: 2011

Mohammedan Sporting
 * IFA Shield: 2014

Kerala Blasters
 * Indian Super League runner-up: 2014

FC Goa
 * Indian Super League runner-up: 2018–19
 * Indian Super Cup: 2019

India
 * SAFF Championship: 2011; runner-up: 2013
 * Nehru Cup: 2012

India U23
 * SAFF Championship: 2009

Personal life
Nirmal Chettri was born to Late Shankar Bahadur Chettri and Late Krishnamaya Chettri at Melli (South Sikkim) on 21 October. He has four sisters and an elder brother, Late Rohit Kumar Chettri, Nirmal also lost one of his sisters last year. Recently he married Mrs. Pratima Chettri from Lingmoo (South Sikkim). Nirmal first turned out for his school Melli Government Sr. Sec. School. His footballing education started at Namchi Sports Hostel, where he moved after getting selected in the Sikkim Government's ‘Search for more Bhaichungs’ campaign. He adept at football

Chhetri is of Nepali origin. He was married on 24 August 2019.