Topu Barman

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Topu Barman

| image = Topu Barman in 2021.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Topu with Bangladesh in 2021

| fullname = Topu Barman

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|12|20|df=y}}

| height = 1.83m{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/topu-barman_prs345860/person.shtml|title=Topu Barman|website=eurosport.com|access-date=June 4, 2024}}

| position = Centre-back

| currentclub = Bashundhara Kings

| clubnumber = 4

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2009–2011

| clubs1 = Wari Club

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2011–2014

| clubs2 = Mohammedan

| caps2 =

| goals2 = 2

| years3 = 2014–2015

| clubs3 = Sheikh Russel

| caps3 =

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2015–2016

| clubs4 = Sheikh Jamal DC

| caps4 =

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2016–2017

| clubs5 = Dhaka Abahani

| caps5 =

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2017–2018

| clubs6 = Saif SC

| caps6 = 19

| goals6 = 2

| years7 = 2018–2019

| clubs7 = Dhaka Abahani

| caps7 = 10

| goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2019–

| clubs8 = Bashundhara Kings

| caps8 = 69

| goals8 = 5

| nationalyears1 = 2009

| nationalteam1 = Bangladesh U16

| nationalcaps1 = 4

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2011

| nationalteam2 = Bangladesh U19

| nationalcaps2 = 3

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2014–2017

| nationalteam3 = Bangladesh U23

| nationalcaps3 = 13

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2013–

| nationalteam4 = Bangladesh

| nationalcaps4 = 62

| nationalgoals4 = 6

| club-update = 27 May 2025

| ntupdate = 25 March 2025

| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{fb|BAN}}}}

}}

Topu Barman ({{Langx|bn|তপু বর্মন}}; born 20 December 1994) is a Bangladeshi professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Bangladesh Premier League club Bashundhara Kings and the Bangladesh national team.

Early career

Topu was scouted in 2006 by Canary Wharf Group's talent search programme. After initial trials, he spent two years at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) under the supervision of local coaches Golam Sarwar Tipu and Rezaul Haq Jamal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressnarayanganj24.com/%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%9E%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B7-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%96%C2%A0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A3/5694|script-title=bn:ফুটবল জগতে না.গঞ্জের সর্বশেষ মুখ তপু বর্মণ|date=8 September 2018|website=Press Narayanganj24.com|language=bn}} In 2008, Topu, along with a few under-16 players, attended a three-week training session at the David Beckham Academy in London. Topu, who was initially selected for training by English coach Anthony Ferguson and England-born Bangladeshi footballer Anwar Uddin, was granted Tk 10,000 scholarship by the Canary Wharf Group after completing its programme.{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/sport/under-16-booters-to-go-for-training-in-london-in-august|title=Under-16 booters to go for training in London in August|work=bdnews24.com}}

Club career

In 2009, he joined Wari Club in the Dhaka Senior Division League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bd-journal.com/sports/162077/%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B8|script-title=bn:তপু বর্মন ‘বাংলার রামোস’|website=Bangladesh Journal Online|language=bn}} In 2011, he joined Mohammedan SC in top-tier, the Bangladesh Premier League, which was also the country's sole professional league at the time.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/mohammedan-complete-underdog-fairytale|title=Mohammedan complete underdog fairytale|date=June 26, 2013|work=The Daily Star}}

In 2014, Topu won the Super Cup with Mohammedan, defeating Sheikh Russel KC 4–2 on penalties. He won the 2016 Bangladesh Premier League with Abahani Limited Dhaka as undefeated champions. In 2017, he was one of the highest paid local players after joining the newly promoted Saif SC.{{cite news |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/2017/04/29/bpl-2016-17-season-players-transfer-saif-sporting-announce-grand-ambition/|title=BPL 2016–17 season players' transfer: Saif Sporting announce grand ambition |work=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=25 August 2019}}

In 2019, Topu joined Bashundhara Kings. He made his debut for Kings during a 2019 Federation Cup match against Chittagong Abahani, on 27 December 2019. His first goal for the club came against Police FC in the same competition, on 1 January 2020.{{Cite news |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/451502/Bashundhara-Kings-storm-into-final-beating-Bangladesh-Police-30&ved=2ahUKEwjhifTL9I3oAhUIbisKHXqRDZ8QFjAFegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw36Ffv3uTTQnpja-OQjcSTe|title=Topu scores as Kings beat Police|work=Daily Sun}} The tournament was his first title triumph with Kings.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/colindres-drives-kings-fed-cup-title-1849822|title=Colindres drives Kings to Fed Cup title|date=January 5, 2020|work=The Daily Star}}

Before the start of the 2020 Federation Cup, Topu was named as the new club captain following the departure of Daniel Colindres. Topu played twice during the tournament as Kings lifted the trophy for the second year running.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/126823/kings-win-back-to-back-fed-cup-title|title=Bashundhara Kings retain Federation Cup title|work=New Age}} He helped Kings keep a solid defense as they won the 2021 Bangladesh Premier League with 4 league games remaining.{{Cite web|url=https://m.daily-bangladesh.com/english/Bashundhara-Kings-becomes-champion-by-breaking-own-record/64243|title=Bashundhara Kings becomes champion by breaking 'own record'|website=Daily Bangladesh}} He ended the league season with a first-half brace against his former club and title rival, Abahani Limited Dhaka. He scored an own goal 28 minutes into the match and then made amends with a headed goal into the Abahani net 10 minutes later.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/149671/curtain-falls-on-bpl-with-kings-abahani-stalemate|title=Curtain falls on BPL with Kings-Abahani stalemate|work=New Age}}

=Interest from abroad=

After the 2021 SAFF Championship Topu has had offers from NorthEast United FC who currently play in the Indian Super League, the topflight of Indian football and he also has attracted interest from an unknown club from the Qatari Second Division also known as the Qatar Stars League{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/isl-offer-tapu-barman-2200466|title=ISL offer for Tapu Barman|first=Anisur|last=Rahman|date=October 17, 2021|work=The Daily Star}}

International career

File:Topu Barman in action against Maldives in the 2021 SAFF Championship.jpg of Maldives during the 2021 SAFF Championship.]]

Topu made his youth international debut during the 2010 AFC U-16 Championship qualifiers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-107742|title=U-16 booters leave for Philippines|date=September 30, 2009|website=The Daily Star}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-109360|title=U-16 booters end qualifiers with defeat|date=October 11, 2009|website=The Daily Star}} He represented Bangladesh U19 during the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers held in Dhaka.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-199424|title=U-19 squad announced|date=August 20, 2011|website=The Daily Star}}

On 24 October 2014, at the age of 19 years, 11 months, and 5 days, Topu made his debut for Bangladesh national team in a friendly match against Sri Lanka. He entered the field as a substitute for defender Yeasin Khan in the 63rd minute of the match which ended as 1-1.{{Cite news |url=https://www.observerbd.com/2014/10/24/50607.php|title=BD play 1-1 draw with SL|work=The Daily Observer}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.observerbd.com/2014/10/25/50683.php|title=Bangladesh frustrates fans|work=The Daily Observer}}

On 28 December 2015, he scored his first goal in international football against Bhutan.{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/sport/2015/12/28/bangladesh-earn-consolation-win-over-bhutan-in-saff-championship|title=Bangladesh earn consolation win over Bhutan in SAFF Championship|work=bdnews24.com}} Topu was named in the squad for the SAFF Championship: 2018 and had an impressive tournament even though hosts Bangladesh were not able to reach the knockout stages once more.{{Cite news |url=https://www.jagonews24.com/en/sports/news/41327|title=Hosts Bangladesh knocked out of SAFF|work=jagonews24.com}} He scored against both Bhutan and Pakistan during the group-stages.{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/2018/09/04/bangladesh-lead-2-0-early-in-second-half|title=Impressive Bangladesh dominate Bhutan in opener|date=September 4, 2018|work=Dhaka Tribune}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/news/bangladesh-beat-pakistan-1630168|title=Hosts march toward semis|date=September 7, 2018|work=The Daily Star}} Topu also scored a crucial goal against Afghanistan during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification helping Bangladesh reach the second round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers{{Cite news |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/139683/topu-strike-earns-draw-against-afghanistan|title=Topu strike earns draw against Afghanistan|work=New Age}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/topu-barmans-late-goal-helps-bangladesh-draw-1-1-against-afghanistan-255550|title=Topu Barman's late goal helps Bangladesh draw 1-1 against Afghanistan|date=June 3, 2021|work=The Business Standard}}

On 1 October 2021, Topu kicked off the 2021 SAFF Championship with a calmly converted penalty against Sri Lanka earning the team a 1–0 victory and a winning start to the tournament.{{Cite news |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/topu-barman-leads-bangladesh-victory-saff-opener-against-sri-lanka-310102|title=Topu Barman leads Bangladesh to victory in Saff opener against Sri Lanka|date=October 1, 2021|work=The Business Standard}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/2021/10/01/topu-feels-satisfied-with-winning-goal|title=Topu feels satisfied with winning goal|date=October 1, 2021|work=Dhaka Tribune}} He also played full 90 minutes against Nepal in the final group match of the competition for both sides where Bangladesh needed a win to reach the finals, the match concluded as 1-1, after a controversial late penalty call from the referee which ended Bangladesh's hopes of reaching the finals once again.{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/sport/2021/10/13/late-penalty-heartbreak-for-10-man-bangladesh-as-nepal-reach-saff-championship-final|title=Late penalty heartbreak for 10-man Bangladesh as Nepal reach SAFF Championship final|work=bdnews24.com}}

On 13 November 2021, during the second matchday of the 2021 Mahinda Rajapaksa Cup, Topu scored an 86th-minute penalty to give Bangladesh a memorable win against Maldives for the first time in 18 years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/bangladesh-beat-maldives-first-time-18-years-329158|title=Bangladesh beat Maldives for the first time in 18 years|date=November 13, 2021|work=The Business Standard}} However,during the last group match against Sri Lanka with Bangladesh only needing a draw, Topu missed a first half penalty and after conceding late into the game Bangladesh suffered a 2–1 defeat, denying the country a place in an international tournament final again.{{Cite news |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/bangladesh-knocked-out-four-nations-tournament-after-conceding-late-penalty-against-sri-lanka|title=Bangladesh knocked out of Four Nations tournament after conceding a late penalty against Sri Lanka|date=November 17, 2021|work=The Business Standard}}

Controversy

On 20 September 2023, customs officials at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka discovered that Topu and four of his teammates had illegally imported 64 bottles of alcohol. This transgression took place following their return from Maldives, subsequent to Bashundhara Kings suffering a 1–3 defeat at the hands of Maziya in the 2023–24 AFC Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhakapost.com/sports/227133|title=বাংলাদেশি ফুটবলারদের ব্যাগে ৬৪ বোতল মদ|date=January 1, 1970|website=dhakapost.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116072111/https://www.dhakapost.com/sports/227133|archive-date=November 16, 2023|url-status=live}} Despite the initial indefinite suspension of the players, Topu, who was found to be carrying approximately 26 bottles, was handed a ban lasting two and a half months, until 31 December 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/327852/morsalin-fined-as-zico-topu-banned-for-months|title=Morsalin fined as Zico, Topu banned for months|date=November 16, 2023|website=www.dhakatribune.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116072414/https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/327852/morsalin-fined-as-zico-topu-banned-for-months|archive-date=November 16, 2023|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/sport/9eiu57ma71|title=নিষেধাজ্ঞা উঠল মোরসালিন-রিমনের|website=bdnews24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116072516/https://bangla.bdnews24.com/sport/9eiu57ma71|archive-date=November 16, 2023|url-status=live}} Bashundhara Kings lifted Topu's ban on 5 December 2023, after which he resumed training with the club a week later.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deshrupantor.com/472635/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%A8-%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0|title=জিকো-তপু ফিরছেন ১২ ডিসেম্বর|date=December 5, 2023|website=Desh Ruantor}} Topu's ban was lifted on 5 December 2023 by Bashundhara Kings, and he joined the club's training camp a week later.{{Cite web|first=Niar|last=Iqbal|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/qev3fwurvx|title=অনুতপ্ত তপু প্রায়শ্চিত্তের অপেক্ষায়|date=December 7, 2023|website=Prothom Alo}} On 22 December 2023, Topu returned to the field during the 2023–24 Bangladesh Premier League season opening game against Brothers Union.{{Cite news |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/4dikiq2y00|language=bn|title=মদ–কাণ্ডের নিষেধাজ্ঞা শেষে মাঠে ফিরলেন তপু বর্মণ|date=December 22, 2023|work=Prothom Alo}}

Career statistics

=International apps=

Year	Apps	Goals
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! colspan=3 \| Bangladesh
2014	2	0
2015	12	1
2016	6	0
2018	7	2
2019	1	0
2020	5	0
2021	12	3
2023	8	0
2024	8	0
Total	61	6

=International goals=

:Scores and results list Bangladesh's goal tally first.

class="wikitable" ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1.	28 December 2015	Trivandrum International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram	{{fb\|BHU}}	style="text-align:center;" \| 1–0	style="text-align:center;" \| 3–0	2015 SAFF Championship
2.	4 September 2018	Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka	{{fb\|BHU}}	style="text-align:center;" \| 1–0	style="text-align:center;" \| 2–0	2018 SAFF Championship
3.	6 September 2018	Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka	{{fb\|PAK}}	style="text-align:center;" \| 1–0	style="text-align:center;" \| 1–0	2018 SAFF Championship
4.	3 June 2021	Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha	{{fb\|AFG\|2013}}	style="text-align:center;" \| 1–1	style="text-align:center;" \| 1–1	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
5.	1 October 2021	National Football Stadium, Malé	{{fb\|SL}}	style="text-align:center;" \| 1–0	style="text-align:center;" \| 1–0	2021 SAFF Championship
6.	13 November 2021	Racecourse Ground, Colombo	{{fb\|MDV}}	style="text-align:center;" \| 2–1	style="text-align:center;" \| 2–1	2021 Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy