Bhutia rules out playing for Indian club

Baichung Bhutia, the country's only professional footballer playing overseas, denied any plans to turn out for an Indian club in the near future.

The ace footballer, who is on a three-week lay-off following knee surgery, visited his former club East Bengal in Kolkata to pep the players after their nightmarish outing against traditional rivals Mohun Bagan in the National Football League match last week.

''East Bengal is my old club and there is a lot of love and fellow feeling. So I visit here whenever possible,'' he said.

Ruling out playing for an Indian club, he said though the problems with his agent are not yet sorted out, there are chances of his contract with English club F C Bury being renewed. He added that he also has the option of playing in Singapore.

''Currently there are no plans of playing for any of the clubs in India. Now, I am on a three-week rest. I will leave for Sikkim tonight,'' Bhutia said.

Baichung plans to spend some time with his family before returning to his soccer ways.

Reflecting on the death of former India ace Prem Dorji, who also hailed from Sikkim, Bhutia said he was heartbroken when he heard the news of his sudden death.

"As a boy we grew up idolising him. I am going to Sikkim and will certainly like to be part of any project undertaken by the Dorji family for the betterment of the game in his remembrance,'' he said.