Naorem Mahesh Singh
{{short description|Indian footballer}}
{{Meitei name|Naorem|Mahesh|Singh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Mahesh Singh
| image =
| caption = Naorem Mahesh against Qatar in AFC Qualifiers
| fullname = Naorem Mahesh Singh
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|3|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nambol, Manipur, India
| height = 1.75 m
| position = Winger
| currentclub = East Bengal
| clubnumber = 29
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Birchandra Memorial Sporting Club
| youthyears2 = 2017–2018
| youthclubs2 = Shillong Lajong
| years1 = 2018–2020
| clubs1 = Shillong Lajong
| caps1 = 20
| goals1 = 4
| years2 = 2020
| clubs2 = Kerala Blasters B
| caps2 = 3
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2020–2022
| clubs3 = Kerala Blasters
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2020–2021
| clubs4 =→Sudeva Delhi (loan)
| caps4 = 14
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2021–2022
| clubs5 = → East Bengal FC (loan)
| caps5 = 18
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2022–
| clubs6 = East Bengal FC
| caps6 = 58
| goals6 = 8
| nationalyears1 = 2023–
| nationalteam1 = India
| nationalcaps1 = 21
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| club-update = 14:15, 22 February 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 22:00, 9 September 2024 (UTC)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|IND}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|SAFF Championship}}
{{Medal|W| 2023 India|}}
}}
Naorem Mahesh Singh (born 3 March 1999) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Indian Super League club East Bengal FC and the India national team.
Club career
=Early career=
Born in Manipur, Singh began his career in his home state with Birchandra Memorial Sporting Club.{{cite news |title=Player List of Birchandra Memorial Sporting Club (BMSC) for Manchester United Premier Cup Football Asia SEAS Final Match 2013 |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=leisure.Sports.Player_List_Birchandra_Memorial_Sporting_Club_BMSC_for_Asia_Final_Match_2013 |accessdate=13 November 2018 |work=E-Pao |date=23 May 2013 |archive-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114100441/http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=leisure.Sports.Player_List_Birchandra_Memorial_Sporting_Club_BMSC_for_Asia_Final_Match_2013 |url-status=live }} He soon joined the youth side of Shillong Lajong, playing for the club in the Shillong Premier League.{{cite news |title=Below par MLP lose 1-0 again, this time to Lajong |url=http://thesportsroom.in/2018/10/09/spl-below-par-mlp-lose-1-0-again-this-time-to-lajong/ |accessdate=13 November 2018 |work=The Sports Room |date=9 October 2018 |archive-date=24 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924225713/https://thesportsroom.in/2018/10/09/spl-below-par-mlp-lose-1-0-again-this-time-to-lajong/ |url-status=live }}
=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.{{cite web |title=Shillong Lajong 2-1 Aizawl |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/10/28/india/i-league/lajong-sc/aizawl-fc/2928127/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=13 November 2018 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511121217/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/10/28/india/i-league/lajong-sc/aizawl-fc/2928127/ |url-status=live }}
=Kerala Blasters=
In 2018, it was announced that Naorem had signed for the Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters from Shillong Lajong F.C.{{cite news|title=ISL 2020 - Kerala Blasters sign Lajong youth product Naorem Mahesh Singh|url=https://thefangarage.com/articles/17578-isl-2020--kerala-blasters-sign-lajong-youth-product-naorem-mahesh-singh|date=26 August 2020|accessdate=11 October 2020|work=The Fan Garage|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029154626/https://thefangarage.com/articles/17578-isl-2020--kerala-blasters-sign-lajong-youth-product-naorem-mahesh-singh|url-status=live}} Mahesh was part of Reserve squad of the club. Even though 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.
=East Bengal=
==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.{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Amitabha Das |title=ISL 2021-22: Mahesh scores twice to give SC East Bengal its first win |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl-2021-22-mahesh-scores-twice-to-give-east-bengal-its-first-win/article38294048.ece |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=Sportstar |date=19 January 2022 |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707081428/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl-2021-22-mahesh-scores-twice-to-give-east-bengal-its-first-win/article38294048.ece |url-status=live }}
==Permanent transfer==
On 4 August 2022, Kerala Blasters announced the transfer of Mahesh to East Bengal for an undisclosed transfer fee.{{cite web|date=3 August 2022|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/east-bengal-announces-domestic-players-isl-2022-23-indian-football-news/article65721973.ece|title=Emami East Bengal announces list of 13 domestic players in senior squad|work=Sportstar|access-date=3 August 2022|archive-date=3 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803210636/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/east-bengal-announces-domestic-players-isl-2022-23-indian-football-news/article65721973.ece|url-status=live}} On 18 November 2022, he scored against Odisha at the Salt Lake Stadium in a 2–4 loss for East Bengal.{{cite web|author=ISL Media Team|date=18 November 2022|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/pedro-leads-the-charge-as-odisha-fc-stun-east-bengal-fc-with-second-half-comeback|title=Pedro leads the charge as Odisha FC stun East Bengal FC with second-half comeback|work=Indian Super League|access-date=19 November 2022|archive-date=19 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119044319/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/pedro-leads-the-charge-as-odisha-fc-stun-east-bengal-fc-with-second-half-comeback|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=PTI|date=18 November 2022|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/football/odisha-fc-stun-east-bengal-with-second-half-comeback/cid/1898922|title=Odisha FC stun East Bengal with second-half comeback|work=The Telegraph|access-date=19 November 2022|archive-date=19 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119044317/https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/football/odisha-fc-stun-east-bengal-with-second-half-comeback/cid/1898922|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|author=ISL Media Team|date=27 November 2022|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/when-we-play-well-we-are-a-difficult-team-to-beat-east-bengal-fc-head-coach-constantine|title=When we play well, we are a difficult team to beat: East Bengal FC head coach Constantine|access-date=8 December 2022|archive-date=27 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127230111/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/when-we-play-well-we-are-a-difficult-team-to-beat-east-bengal-fc-head-coach-constantine|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|author=ISL Media Team|date=19 February 2023|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/east-bengal-fc-sour-mumbai-city-fcs-shield-party-with-first-ever-win-against-the-islanders|title=East Bengal FC sour Mumbai City FC's Shield party with first ever win against the Islanders|work=Indian Super League|access-date=20 February 2023|archive-date=19 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219200818/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/east-bengal-fc-sour-mumbai-city-fcs-shield-party-with-first-ever-win-against-the-islanders|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=19 February 2023|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/isl-east-bengal-stun-mumbai-city-to-record-first-win-over-the-islanders/articleshow/98070097.cms?from=mdr|title=ISL: East Bengal stun Mumbai City to record first win over The Islanders|work=The Times of India|access-date=20 February 2023|archive-date=19 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219211545/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/isl-east-bengal-stun-mumbai-city-to-record-first-win-over-the-islanders/articleshow/98070097.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}
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.{{cite web|date=23 September 2023|url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-09-indian-football-isl-east-bengal-naorem-mahesh-singh-extend-contract|title=Naorem Mahesh Singh signs long-term extension at East Bengal|work=Khel Now|accessdate=23 September 2023}} 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.{{cite web|author=ISL Media|date=4 October 2023|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/report-javi-hernandezs-wonder-goal-inspires-bengaluru-fc-to-victory-over-east-bengal-fc|title=REPORT: JAVI HERNANDEZ'S WONDER GOAL INSPIRES BENGALURU FC TO VICTORY OVER EAST BENGAL FC|work=Indian Super League|accessdate=5 October 2023}} He scored again on 21 October 2023 against Goa in a 1–2 loss at the Kalinga Stadium.{{cite web|author=ISL Media|date=21 October 2023|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/report-fc-goa-maintain-perfect-start-with-comeback-win-over-east-bengal-fc|title=REPORT: FC GOA MAINTAIN PERFECT START WITH COMEBACK WIN OVER EAST BENGAL FC|work=Indian Super League|accessdate=24 October 2023|archive-date=29 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029201031/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/report-fc-goa-maintain-perfect-start-with-comeback-win-over-east-bengal-fc|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|date=28 January 2024|url=https://i-league.org/12-years-of-pall-of-gloom-lifted-east-bengal-win-a-spine-chiller-to-take-home-kalinga-super-cup/|title=12 years of pall of gloom lifted: East Bengal win a spine-chiller to take home Kalinga Super Cup|work=I-League|accessdate=29 January 2024}}
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.{{cite news |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/igor-stimac-names-provisional-squad-ahead-of-hero-tri-nation-international-football-tournament |title=Igor Stimac names provisional squad ahead of Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament |website=The AIFF |date=14 March 2023 |access-date=14 March 2023 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314111409/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/igor-stimac-names-provisional-squad-ahead-of-hero-tri-nation-international-football-tournament |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/pritam-kotal-naorem-mahesh-singh-to-join-blue-tigers-camp |title=Pritam Kotal, Naorem Mahesh Singh to join Blue Tigers camp |website=The AIFF |date=19 March 2023 |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322075303/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/pritam-kotal-naorem-mahesh-singh-to-join-blue-tigers-camp |url-status=live }} He made his debut against Myanmar on 22 March, replacing Lallianzuala Chhangte after 70 minutes in a 1–0 victory.{{cite web|first=Soumo|last=Ghosh|date=22 March 2023|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/anirudh-thapa-strikes-as-india-edge-past-myanmar-in-hero-tri-nation-opener-in-imphal|title=Anirudh Thapa strikes in India's win over Myanmar in Hero Tri-Nation opener|work=the-aiff.com|accessdate=22 March 2023|archive-date=22 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322165548/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/anirudh-thapa-strikes-as-india-edge-past-myanmar-in-hero-tri-nation-opener-in-imphal|url-status=live}} 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.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|22 February 2025}}{{soccerway|naorem-mahesh-singh/578920}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Others !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="1" |Shillong Lajong
| rowspan="1" |I-League |20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 20 | 4 | |||
| rowspan="1" |Kerala Blasters B
|2020 | rowspan="1" |I-League 2nd Division |3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 3 | 1 | |||
| rowspan="1" |Kerala Blasters
| rowspan="1" |Indian Super League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="1" |Sudeva Delhi (loan)
| rowspan="1" |I-League |14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 14 | 2 | |||
| rowspan="1" |East Bengal (loan)
| rowspan="4" |Indian Super League |18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 18 | 2 | |||
| rowspan="4" |East Bengal
|19 | 2 | 3{{efn|name=SuperCup|Appearance(s) in Super Cup.}} | 3 | colspan="2" |— | 2{{efn|name=statsDur|Appearance(s) in Durand Cup.}} | 0 | 24 | 5 | ||
| 2023–24
|21 | 4 | 1{{efn|name=SuperCup}} | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 6{{efn|name=statsDur}} | 1 | 28 | 5 | ||
| 2024–25
|18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=AFC|One appearance in AFC Champions League Two and Three appearances in AFC Challenge League.}} | 0 | 3{{efn|name=statsDur}} | 0 | 25 | 2 | |
| colspan="2" |East Bengal total
!76 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 95 | 14 | |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!113 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 132 | 21 |
{{notelist}}
= International =
{{updated|9 September 2024}}{{NFT|90437}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2" |India
|2023 | 16 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | |
| colspan="2" |Total | 21 | 3 |
== International goals ==
:India score listed first, score column indicates score after each Singh's goal.
Honours
India
- Tri-Nation Friendly Series: 2023{{cite web|title=India too good for Kyrgyz Republic; crowned Hero Tri-Nation champions in Imphal|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/india-too-good-for-kyrgyz-republic-win-hero-tri-nation-tournament-in-imphal|publisher=AIFF|last1=Rawat|first1=Akhil|access-date=28 March 2023|archive-date=28 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328174107/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/india-too-good-for-kyrgyz-republic-win-hero-tri-nation-tournament-in-imphal|url-status=live}}
- Intercontinental Cup: 2023
- SAFF Championship: 2023
Kerala Blasters B
East Bengal
- Super Cup: 2024
- Durand Cup runner-up: 2023
Individual
- Indian Super League Emerging Player of the Month: November 2022{{cite tweet|user=IndSuperLeague|date=9 December 2022|url=https://twitter.com/IndSuperLeague/status/1601206969418665984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1601206969418665984%7Ctwgr%5Ea79af5e50e4465b704c25351e2d02f449c4bcf7b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.latestly.com%2Fsocially%2Fsports%2Fa-memorable-month-for-youngster-maheshnaorem-as-he-bags-the-emerging-player-of-the-month-latest-tweet-by-indian-super-league-4566447.html|number=1601206969418665984|title=A memorable month for youngster #MaheshNaorem as he bags the Emerging Player of the Month for November 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣! |author=Indian Super League|accessdate=11 December 2022}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{East Bengal FC squad}}
{{India squad 2023 AFC Asian Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Naorem Mahesh}}
Category:Indian men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Manipur
Category:People from Bishnupur district
Category:India men's international footballers
Category:Shillong Lajong FC players
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Indian Super League players
Category:21st-century Indian sportsmen
Category:Kerala Blasters FC players
Category:Sudeva Delhi FC players