Subrata Paul signs for Danish side Vestsjaelland

National football team goalkeeper Subrata Paul is set to become the first Indian player to join a first division side in Europe as he has been offered a six-month contract by Danish top tier club FC Vestsjaelland. Paul has been offered a contract for the period from January 1 to June 30 next year by Danish Superliga side FC Vestsjaelland, also known as FC Vikings, after a three-week trial stint with the club recently. Paul said that he would now seek a release on loan from IMG-Reliance with which he has a two-year contract for the proposed Indian Super League. ‘I had gone for a three-week trial at FC Vestsjaelland from October 20 onward and I was offered a six-month contract by the club before I left Denmark. The head coach and goalkeeping coach told me they liked my performance,’ Paul said from Kolkata. ‘My dream to play in a top European club has come true and I am going to sign the contract in a few days. I will now approach IMG-Reliance to release me on loan to join FC Vestsjaelland. I think it will be just a formality,’ said 26-year-old Paul who has earned 67 India caps.