Bipin Singh Thounaojam

In this Meitei name, the family name is Thounaojamand the given name is Bipin."Singh" is a name suffix.

Bipin Singh Thounaojam

Personal information
Full name	Bipin Singh Thounajam [1]
Date of birth	(1995-03-10) 10 March 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth	Wangoi, Manipur, India [2]
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) [3]
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Mumbai City
Number	29
Youth career
2008–2011	Wafa Wangoi Club
2011–2012	Manipur Police Sports Club
2012–2013	Shillong Lajong
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012–2017	Shillong Lajong	38	(1)
2017–2018	ATK	12	(2)
2018–	Mumbai City	121	(25)
International career‡
2021–	India	7	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:00, 17 January 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:42, 05 September 2021 (UTC)

Bipin Singh Thounaojam (born 10 March 1995) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Indian Super League club Mumbai City and the India national team.

Club career

Youth career

At the age of 13, Bipin joined one of Manipur's most famous youth clubs called Wafa Wangoi Club where he stayed for three years. He then moved on to Manipur Police Sports Club where he further honed his skills.

I-League

Shillong Lajong

After years of consistent displays, a 17-year-old Bipin found his way the senior setup of Shillong Lajong for the 2012–13 I-League season. ^[4] He made his professional debut for Shillong Lajong in the I-League on 22 December 2012 against ONGC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium when he came on as an 81st-minute substitute for Gbeneme Friday as Shillong Lajong lost the match 3–0. ^[5] For the first three seasons, he mostly came on as a substitute to replace tired legs or for a change of tactics. He only became a first teamer for the club from the 2015–16 I-League under the stewardship of head coach Thangboi Singto. It took him over 4 years to score his first professional goal of his career and the club, against Chennai City on 19 February 2017, when he curled a sublime effort into the top corner, giving the opposition goalkeeper absolutely no chance to save it. ^[6] He made 38 appearances for the club in the I-League, scoring a solitary goal in the process.

ISL

ATK

Bipin was picked up by the erstwhile ATK during the player draft ahead of the 2017-18 Indian Super League season. ^[7] He made his debut for the club on 17 November 2017, when he came on as a 74th-minute substitute against Kerala Blasters in a match which finished 0-0. ^[8] He scored his first goal for the club in only his second appearance, when he curled in a brilliant free-kick which kissed the crossbar and went in. Though Bipin's goal was a mere consolation as ATK lost 4–1 to Pune City. ^[9] He finished the season with 2 ISL goals in 12 appearances. He showed flashes of brilliance and an impressive work rate.

Mumbai City

2018-19

On 1 August 2018, the Islanders completed the signing of Bipin on a two-year contract. ^[10] He made his debut for the club against Jamshedpur on 2 October 2018, which ended in a 2–0 loss. ^[11] Bipin was used as a reserve player by then-Mumbai head coach Jorge Costa, only making seven appearances throughout the season, with five of those seven being off the bench.

2019-20

Bipin made his first appearance of the season away against Chennaiyin FC in a 0-0 draw. ^[12] He scored his first goal for the club at home against Odisha FC, scoring the last goal of the match in an eventual 4-2 loss, with his cross going into the goal after a touch from goalkeeper Francisco Dorronsoro. The goal was credited to Bipin, rather than going down as an own goal. ^[13] He scored his second goal of the season on 12 February 2020 against Goa in a 5–2 loss. ^[14] This season, though, Bipin was afforded more playing time, making four starts out of a total of 15 appearances.

2020-21

It wasn't until the 2020-21 Indian Super League season, with Spaniard Sergio Lobera in charge of the club, that Bipin finally came alive. He made his first appearance of the season away against FC Goa, coming off the bench in a 1-0 win for The Islanders. ^[15] He scored his first goal of the season away against Bengaluru FC, scoring Mumbai's second goal in an eventual 3-1 win for the club. ^[16]

Throughout the season, Bipin scored six goals, including a hat-trick against Odisha on the penultimate date of the 2020-21 Indian Super League regular season. This hat-trick was also was the first hat-trick of the season. ^[17] In the playoffs, Bipin went on to score a dream match winning goal in the 2021 Indian Super League final against ATK Mohun Bagan, ^{[18] [19]} as the Islanders won the Indian Super League Winners Shield and the League title for the first time. This was also the first time, and till date the only time, a club has won both trophies in a single season. ^[20]

On 19 April 2021, Bipin signed a new four-year contract with Mumbai City, keeping him at the club until May 2025. ^[21]

2021-22

Following the departure of Sergio Lobera to Chinese club Sichuan Jiuniu, Mumbai appointed Des Buckingham as the club's new head coach. Bipin remained a regular in the team, making his first appearance of the season on 22 November 2021 in a 3-0 win against FC Goa. ^[22] Bipin scored his first goal of the season in a 5-1 win against ATK Mohun Bagan, scoring Mumbai's fifth goal in the 51st minute of the match. ^[23] . Bipin started all 20 games of the season, contributing six goals and three assists from the left wing.

2022-23

On 14 September 2022, Bipin became the all-time joint goalscorer for Mumbai City alongside Modou Sougou, when he scored a 90th-minute winner against Mohammedan in the semi-finals of the Durand Cup. ^{[24] [25]} On 15 October, Bipin became the all-time top scorer for the club, scoring Mumbai's second goal at home against Odisha FC, with the match ending 2-0. ^[26]

Bipin went on a 3-game scoring streak as well, scoring against Chennaiyin FC, Bengaluru FC, and NorthEast United FC. ^{[27] [28] [29]} He remained a key part of the team, as the club went on a record-breaking 18-match unbeaten run to win the ISL Shield. ^[30]

In the playoffs, despite scoring a goal in the semi-final second leg versus Bengaluru FC, the Islanders eventually lost 9-8 in a penalty shootout, ending their hopes of replicating their 20-21 ISL double. ^[31] Bipin made 22 appearances throughout the season, scoring 7 goals and providing 2 assists.

2023-24

Bipin made his first appearance of the season on 21 September 2023 away against NorthEast United FC. playing from the start in a 2-1 win for Mumbai. ^[32] He scored his first goal of the season at home against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, scoring Mumbai's second goal in an eventual 2-1 win. He also got the assist for Mumbai's first goal with a pinpoint cross to Mumbai attacking midfielder Greg Stewart. However, the game gained attention due to the number of cards awarded, with the referee showing 11 yellow cards and 7 red cards. ^{[33] [34]}

On 2 March 2024, Bipin became the first-ever Indian player to make 100 appearances for Mumbai City FC, following his appearance in a 3-2 away win against Punjab FC. ^[35]

During this season, Bipin was used as a rotation player, due to the form of Vikram Partap Singh meaning he played ahead of Bipin at left-wing. This led to him occasionally being used as a right-winger as well.

Eventually, following a loss on the final day, Mumbai lost the ISL Shield to Mohun Bagan. ^[36] However, the club took revenge in the ISL Cup final. Bipin once again scored in an ISL Cup final against Mohun Bagan, getting Mumbai's second goal with a tap-in from close range. This led to an eventual 3-1 win, securing the second ISL Cup in the club's history, and of Bipin's career. ^[37]

2024-25

Bipin made his first appearance of the season away against Mohun Bagan on September 13, playing from the start in a 2-2 draw. ^[38]

International career

On 2 March 2021, Bipin Singh got selected for the 35-man-squad national camp ahead of India national team's friendlies against Oman and UAE. ^[39] On 25 March, he made his debut against Oman, which ended as 1–1. ^[40]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 23 February 2024 ^{[41] [42]}

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup [a]		AFC		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Shillong Lajong	2012–13	I-League	5	0	0	0	–		–		5	0
	2013–14		2	0	0	0	–		–		2	0
	2014–15		0	0	0	0	–		–		0	0
	2015–16		15	0	0	0	–		–		15	0
	2016–17		16	1	3	0	–		–		19	1
	Total		38	1	3	0	–		–		41	1
ATK	2017–18	Indian Super League	12	2	2	0	–		–		14	2
Mumbai City	2018–19	Indian Super League	7	0	1	0	–		–		8	0
	2019–20		15	2	0	0	–		–		15	2
	2020–21		22	6	0	0	–		–		22	6
	2021–22		20	6	0	0	6 [b]	0	–		26	6
	2022–23		22	7	3	0	—		8 [c]	1	33	8
	2023–24		22	4	0	0	6 [b]	0	4 [d]	0	22	3
	Total		108	25	4	0	12	0	12	1	126	25
Career total			148	27	9	0	12	0	12	1	181	28

1. Includes Federation Cup, Super Cup
2. Appearances in AFC Champions League
3. Seven appearances and one goal in Durand Cup, one appearance in play-offs for AFC Champions League
4. Appearances in Durand Cup

International

As of 22 March 20231 ^[43]

Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition

Team	Year	Competitive		Friendly		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
India	2021	3	0	3	0	6	0
	2023	0	0	1	0	1	0
Total		3	0	4	0	7	0

Honours

Shillong Lajong

• Golaghat All-India Invitational Cup: 2013 ^[44]
• Shillong Premier League: 2015 ^{[45] [46]}
• Meghalaya Invitation Football Tournament: 2016 ^[47]

Mumbai City

• Indian Super League Cup: 2020–21, ^[48] 2023–24
• Indian Super League League Shield: 2020–21, ^[48] 2022–23
• Durand Cup runner-up: 2022 ^[49]

India

• Tri-Nation Series: 2023

Individual

• Indian Super League Hero of the Month: November 2022 ^[50]

References

1. "Bipin Singh Thounajam Profile". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
2. Chatterjee, Sayan (24 March 2021). "10 things to know about Mumbai City's Bipin Singh". The Bridge. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
3. "Bipin Singh - Indian Super League". www.indiansuperleague.com.
4. "Shillong Lajong FC name squad for I-League". 6 October 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
5. "I-League: ONGC register an emphatic win against Shillong". 22 December 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
6. "I-League 2017: Chennai City 1-4 Shillong Lajong - Singto and company register maiden away victory". 19 February 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
7. "Full list of ATK squad after ISL 2017 player draft". 23 July 2017. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020.
8. "ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters 0-0 ATK - Unimpressive Yellow Army held by Sheringham's boys". 17 November 2017. Archived from the original on 19 November 2017.
9. "ISL 2017: ATK 1-4 FC Pune City - Marcelinho nets brace as Stallions stun Kolkata". 26 November 2017. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
10. "ISL 2018: Mumbai City FC complete the signing of Bipin Singh". 1 August 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
11. "ISL 2018-19: Jamshedpur open their account with a win against Mumbai City". 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
12. Sportstar, Team (27 October 2019). "ISL 2019 highlights: Chennaiyin, Mumbai play out goalless draw". Sportstar.
13. "Indian Super League: Odisha FC thrash Mumbai City 4-2". 31 October 2019.
14. "ISL 2019-20: FC Goa ease past Mumbai City FC". 12 February 2020. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020.
15. Standard, Business. "ISL 2020-2021: Le Fondre's late penalty helps Mumbai beat Goa 1-0". www.business-standard.com.{{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
16. "Mumbai City 3-1 Bengaluru (Jan 5, 2021) Game Analysis". ESPN. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
17. "Odisha FC 1-6 Mumbai City FC: The Islanders ride Bipin Singh hat-trick to annihilate the Kalinga Warriors". 24 February 2021. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021.
18. "Mumbai City 2-1 ATK Mohun Bagan: The Islanders beat the Mariners to win the ISL title". 13 March 2021. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021.
19. "Mumbai City FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan FC". Indian Super League. 13 March 2021. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
20. "Mumbai City Football Club". City Football Group. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
21. "Bipin Singh extends contract with Mumbai City FC". Sportstar. 19 April 2021. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
22. "Mumbai City 3-0 FC Goa (22 Nov, 2021) Game Analysis - ESPN (IN)". ESPN.
23. "Match Report: ATK Mohun Bagan 1-5 Mumbai City". Mumbai City FC. 31 January 2021.
24. "Late drama sees Mumbai City race off to Durand Cup 2022 final". khelnow.com. 14 September 2022. Archived from the original on 15 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
25. "Mohammedan 0 – 1 Mumbai City". the-aiff.com. 14 September 2022. Archived from the original on 15 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
26. "Match Report: Mumbai City 2-0 Odisha FC". Mumbai City FC. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
27. "Mumbai City 6-2 Chennaiyin (Nov 12, 2022) Final Score". ESPN.
28. "Mumbai City 4-0 Bengaluru (17 Nov, 2022) Final Score - ESPN (IN)". ESPN.
29. "Mumbai City 3-1 NorthEast (Nov 25, 2022) Final Score". ESPN.
30. "Unprecedented dominance: A look at Mumbai City FC's historic 18-match unbeaten run". www.indiansuperleague.com. 16 February 2023.
31. "Match Report: Bengaluru FC 1-2 Mumbai City (2-2 agg); BFC win 9-8 on penalties". Mumbai City FC. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
32. Sportstar, Team (24 September 2023). "ISL 2023-24: Mumbai City FC beats NorthEast United FC 2-1". Sportstar.
33. "Report: Mumbai City FC prevail over Mohun Bagan SG in a feisty encounter". www.indiansuperleague.com. 20 December 2023.
34. "Watch: Mumbai City FC vs Mohun Bagan SG sees 7 red cards, 11 yellow cards in ill-tempered clash". Firstpost. 21 December 2023.
35. Sportstar, Team (2 March 2024). "ISL 2023-24: Guarrotxena's brace guides Mumbai City to a 3-2 win against Punjab FC". Sportstar.
36. "Mohun Bagan 2-1 Mumbai City (15 Apr, 2024) Final Score - ESPN (IN)". ESPN.
37. "Mumbai City 3-1 Mohun Bagan (4 May, 2024) Final Score - ESPN (IN)". ESPN.
38. "Mohun Bagan 2-2 Mumbai City (13 Sep, 2024) Final Score - ESPN (IN)". ESPN.
39. "Bipin Singh, Ishan Pandita in 35-man probables list for Oman, UAE friendlies". scroll.in. 2 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
40. "Football: Manvir Singh, Bipin Singh combine to help youthful India hold Oman on return to action". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
41. Bipin Singh Thounaojam at Soccerway
42. Bipin Singh Thounaojam at WorldFootball.net
43. Bipin Singh Thounaojam at National-Football-Teams.com
44. Kishur (17 September 2013). "All India Invitational: Shillong Lajong FC clinch title". sportskeeda.com. Golaghat: Sportskeeda. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
45. Bharat, Khelchandra (22 November 2015). "Shillong Lajong FC Emerge as Shillong Premier League Champions". indianfootballnetwork.com. Shillong: Indian Football Network. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
46. "Shillong Lajong FC Edge Past Royal Wahingdoh to Clinch Shillong Premier League". NDTV Sports. 21 November 2015. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
47. Ganguly, Abhishek (26 November 2016). "Lajong score SPL title hat-trick". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Kolkata: The Times of India. TNN. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
48. "ISL: Mumbai City FC Beat ATK Mohun Bagan In Final To Clinch Title". sports.ndtv.com. NDTV. Press Trust of India. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
49. Narayan, Aaditya (19 September 2022). "Durand Cup 2022 review: The perfect curtain-raiser to the Indian football season". www.espn.in. Kolkata: ESPN. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
50. ISL Media Team (17 December 2022). "Mumbai City FC's Bipin Singh wins Hero of the Month award for November 2022". indiansuperleague.com. Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.

External links

• Bipin Singh Thounaojam at Soccerway