XtraTime Web Desk: Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Kerala Blasters on Thursday signed Bengaluru FC full back Nishu Kumar ahead of the 2020-21 seasons. The full back replaced Sandesh Jhingan, who left the Kochi based side. Nishu Kumar has been a familiar face in Bengaluru FC defence for the last five seasons. Blasters signed the 22 year old defender for four seasons at a whopping price of INR 5 crore, making him the highest paid Indian defender in ISL. He surpassed former Kerala Blasters defender Sandesh Jhingan, who signed a contract renewal for INR 3.8 crore.
Blasters will hope the addition of Nishu Kumar will fill the void left by Jhingan. Born in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Nishu began his career with Chandigarh Football Academy. In 2011 he was selected into the AIFF Elite Academy and in 2015, at the age of 18, he was signed by BFC on a two-year deal. He made his debut with the Bengaluru side the next year in the 2016 AFC Cup match against Ayeywadi United.
Nishu has also represented India in various U-19 and U-23 games which includes the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers in 2016 and AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers in 2019. He made his national team debut against Jordan in November 2018.