Lijo Francis (born 15 August 1999) is an Indian professional
footballer
A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby lea ...
who plays as a
midfielder
In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an Glossary of association football terms#O, outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in t ...
or
defender for
Chennaiyin in the
Indian Super League
The Indian Super League (ISL) is a professional association football league in India and the highest level of the Indian football league system. Administered by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner Football Sport ...
.
Career
Lijo hails from
Eraviputhenthurai
Eraviputhenthurai is a village on the coast of the Arabian Sea, in Thoothoor Village Panchayat, Vilavancode taluk, Vilavancode Taluk, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India.
It is west of Nagercoil, the headquarters of Kanyakumari District a ...
, a small fishing village in
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari (Tamil; / kəɳjɑkʊmɑɾiː/; referring to Devi Kanya Kumari, officially known as Kanniyakumari, formerly known as Cape Comorin) is a town and a municipality in Kanyakumari district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is the ...
. He had the opportunity to travel to Madrid, where he was selected from among hundreds of participants during a trial organized by Spanish second division club
AD Alcorcon at Nehru Park. He then trained under the club’s coaches for a month.
He made his professional debut for the
Chennai City F.C. against
Aizawl F.C. on 17 December 2019, He was brought in the 75th minute as Chennai City drew 1–1.
Career statistics
Club
References
1999 births
Living people
People from Nagercoil
Indian men's footballers
Chennai City FC players
Footballers from Tamil Nadu
I-League players
21st-century Indian sportsmen
Men's association football midfielders
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