Singapore footballer Iqbal Hussain to sign for India’s Chennai City

Iqbal Hussain is the latest Singapore footballer to sign for an overseas club after agreeing to a deal with India’s Chennai City. 

The 27-year-old, who has represented the Singapore national team seven times, will link up with Singapore coach Satyasagara (formerly known as K Balagumaran). 

Satyasagara was named as Chennai’s head coach earlier this week. He was previously assistant to Akbar Nawas at the club, until the latter’s departure in October. 

Speaking to Youthopia, Satyasagara said that he was given the choice of signing a player to fill up the foreign Asian player slot in the squad and specifically chose Iqbal. 

“We needed a talented creative player and when management asked me if there was anyone I thought could fill the Asian slot in the team, I thought of Iqbal and even showed them some videos of him,” said Satyasagara. 

“The management’s response was encouraging, so I decided to bring him over.” 

This will be the third time that Iqbal will play under Satyasagara. The pair worked together previously at Gombak United and Hougang United. 

The forward played for Geylang International in 2020, scoring two goals and adding one assist in four Singapore Premier League starts. 

Satyasagara explained that having worked with him before, he knew Iqbal has the ability to perform in the I-League. 

“I know his strengths and what he is capable of. While most foreign players in India are from Spain or other European countries or Japan, I’m confident Iqbal can do Singapore proud.” 

Iqbal, who is understood to have flown to Chennai on Friday (Dec 11) evening, will pen a contract until April. His contract will then be re-evaluated before the start of the Indian Super League, which Chennai City will also participate in. 

The 2021 I-League season will start on Jan 9. Chennai will hope to improve on their seventh-place finish in the 2020 season. 

The club won the league title in 2019.