Michael Soosairaj

Michael Soosairaj (born 25 December 1994 at Eraviputhenthurai, Kaniyakumari, Tamil Nadu) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the club ATK and the Indian National Team.

Michael Soosairaj
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-12-25) 25 December 1994
Place of birth Eraviputhenthurai, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Playing position(s) Midfielder/Wing back
Club information
Current team
 ATK
Number 23
Youth career
2011–2016 Arrows Football Club
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2018 Chennai City 29 (5)
2018–2019 Jamshedpur 14 (4)
2019– ATK 20 (3)
National team
2019– India 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 March 2020

Career

Early career and Chennai City FC

Born in Eraviputhenthurai, Tamil Nadu, Soosairaj first moved to Chennai when he attended Madras Christian College.[1] At the age of 10 he started training with his local football club/academy St. Catherine FC and FASC one of the oldest football clubs in the state. He represented the college in Inter-University tournaments before joining Arrows Football Club of the CFA Senior Division.[1] After spending time with Arrows, Soosairaj joined another CFA Senior Division side, Chennai City.[1] He also played for Tamil Nadu in the Santosh Trophy .[2]

In December 2016, Chennai City FC were announced as a direct-entry side into the I-League, India's top tier football league.[3] On 17 January 2017, Soosairaj made his professional debut in the I-League for Chennai City against DSK Shivajians. He came on as a 61st-minute substitute for Malsawmfela despite Chennai City losing 2–0.[4]

On 8 April 2018, Soosairaj scored his first professional goal in the league against Minerva Punjab. His 41st-minute goal was the first in a 2–0 victory.[5] He then scored his second goal of the season a few weeks later on 22 April against Churchill Brothers. This time, Soosairaj scored Chennai City's only goal in the 54th minute as they lost 5–1.[6] The next season, Soosairaj scored his first brace, scoring twice against Churchill Brothers on 17 February 2018. His two goals contributed to a 3–1 victory for Chennai City.[7] He then scored his third goal of the season a couple weeks later on 2 March against Minerva Punjab. His 5th-minute goal was the first in a 2–1 victory for Chennai City.[8]

After the 2017–18 season, Soosairaj was named the league's best midfielder by the All India Football Federation.[9]

Jamshedpur FC

On 9 March 2018, it was announced that Soosairaj had signed for Jamshedpur of the Indian Super League.[10] He scored 4 goals in 14 matches during the 2018-19 season . He was brilliant through out the season playing as a left or right winger . He earned a lot of admiration for his performance. He was one of the standout Indian players of the season, and his performances led to him gaining his first international call-up.

ATK

Before the start of the 2019-20 season, Indian Super League side ATK activated the release clause of Michael Soosairaj as ₹90 lakh (€120,000)[11] Soosairaj scored against Mumbai City FC this season, assisting ATK in a 2-0 win.[12]

Personal life

His elder brother Michael Regin is also a professional footballer.[13]

Career statistics

International
National teamYearAppsGoals India
201910
Total10

Club
As of 14 March 2020[14]
Club Season League Super Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chennai City 2016–17 I-League112————112
2017–18 18310——193
Total 2951000305
Jamshedpur 2018–19 Indian Super League1441000154
ATK 2019–20 2030000203
Career total 631220006512

References
  1. Prasad, Vishnu (21 March 2018). "Michael learns to rock". New Indian Express. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  2. "TN squad for Santosh Trophy named". The Hindu. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  3. "Chennai City FC, Minerva Punjab FC Get Direct Entry Into I-League". News18. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  4. "Shivajians 2-0 Chennai City". Soccerway.
  5. "Minerva Punjab 0-2 Chennai City". Soccerway.
  6. "Churchill Brothers 5-1 Chennai City". Soccerway.
  7. "Chennai City 3-1 Churchill Brothers". Soccerway.
  8. "Chennai City 2-1 Minerva Punjab". Soccerway.
  9. "Minerva Punjab presented with winners' trophy; NEROCA's Gift Raikhan named season's best coach". FirstPost. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  10. "Michael Soosairaj signs for Jamshedpur". Jamshedpur FC (Twitter).
  11. "ATK activates Rs. 90 Lakh release clause for Jamshedpur FC's Michael Soosairaj". Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  12. https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/isl-mumbai-city-vs-atk-michael-soosairaj-cartwheel-celebration-antonio-habas-amrinder-singh-indian-football/article30485805.ece
  13. "Football blossoms in the land of Michael Soosairaj". sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  14. Michael Soosairaj at Soccerway
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