To keep his promise, Bhaichung Bhutia to play for East Bengal one last time

KolkataIt was in the famous redandgold EastBengal jersey that 17yearold Bhaichung Bhutia came intoprominence back in 1995 and after nearly two decades one ofIndias greatest ever footballer is going to play what will behis final season in Indian club footballBhutia had retired in national jersey after playing anexhibition match against the starstudded Bayern Munich teamled by Phillip Lahm but is now expected to sign during thesecond phase of the ILeague and may be play atleast one lastmatch for his favourite clubThe Sikkimese Sniper today announced that he would returnto his club East Bengal to keep his promise as he will onceagain put on his boots and will try his best to come in shapeand play as many matches possible as a fit playerEast Bengals Bhaichung Bhutia centre in action in August 2004 PicAFPIve earlier promised that I want to retire in an EastBengal jersey but it could not happen as I suffered an injuryBut this season I want to retire signing with East BengalStill Im not fully fit I want to train and be fit andplay Even if Im playing my last competitive game I want toplay as a fit player the former India captain who wasrecently inducted into AFCs Hall of Fame told reporterstodayThe former India captain said he would not like to be aburden on Armando Colacos team as he would strive to get fullfitness to justify his place in the teamKnee is still not in best shape after the surgery Iwant to fight and play maybe the entire second leg of theleague but if it does not happen then at least for the lastmatchIm not saying he Colaco has to include me I shouldnot be playing matches when Im not fit That will be unfairIf Im fit then you never knowBhutia said he had offers in ISL but to honour hiscommitment hes coming back to the red and gold campPlease dont think that its a comeback I could havedone ISL but I had given a commitment to East Bengal thatswhy Im signing I want to fulfil my commitment I want togive my best Im just coming back here to retireBhutia said he would sign in the second week of Februaryand start training after thatILeague is tentatively scheduled to begin on January 17and the first city derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengalis likely to be on January 25It would mean that Bhutia will be part of the East Bengalside in the return leg of the derbyI want to give my best Im just coming back here toretire I will sign after second window starts I will starttraining by midFebruaryBhutia joked when asked about his last appearance at clublevelMaybe 1947 joked Bhutia who was last seen with UnitedSikkim in the 201213 seasonDelighted on getting the AFC Hall of Fame Bhutia said itwas a great moment for the Indian footballTo be among the likes of the greats was somethingspecial On the whole I think it was a big honour for Indian football My dream was to get the AFC Footballer of theYear Award but since it did not happen then may be it wasgreat to have received after retirementOn a lighter vein Bhutia added that the AFC would thinktwice the next time they give this awardThis is given only to the retired player and I think Iwould be the only player to play matches after getting theHall of Fame Please dont take it otherwise Im just cominghere to retire