Pappachen Pradeep is a former Indian professional football player turned critic. Pradeep started his football career as a striker but later established himself as one of the best midfielders to play for the national team. He has played every position except goalkeeper and is known for his versatility and agility.
Wiki/Biography
Naduparambil Pappachen Pradeep was born on Thursday, April 28, 1983, in Moolamattom, Idukki, Kerala, India (40 years old as of 2023). When he was a child, he had no financial security and his parents struggled to support the family. Pradeep has been fascinated by football since childhood and was signed by Travancore National Bank Football Club at the age of 17. Pradeep has had great success with the Indian national football team and is also the captain of the India U23 team.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′8″
Hair color: black
Eye color: black
NP Pradeep 2022
family
NP Pradeep was born into an ordinary Malayali family in Idukkimulamatom, Kerala. After marriage, he moved to Kannur, Kerala, India.
Parents and siblings
NP Pradeep’s father’s name is Pappachen and he is deceased. His mother’s name was Savitri. Pradeep has two sisters: Preethi and Deepthi.
wife and children
He married Beulah. She is from Kannur, Kerala State, India. They got married on December 26, 2008. The couple had a daughter named Ann Jerrica.
Pradeep and his wife Beulah
Profession
football
Pradeep started his career as an attacker but his coaches played him in different positions and he played very naturally in all of them. Pradeep’s versatility provides an advantage wherever he goes, and he excels in different positions and helps his team. He is famous for scoring long-range winners with his powerful left leg, and perhaps his most important goal came in the 2007 Nehru Trophy final for India. He is often referred to as “India’s Steven Gerrard” due to his prodigious long-range shooting ability.
Pradeep during Kerala Viva
domestic football
Pradeep struggled during his initial days as a professional footballer. Lack of financial ability was a major obstacle to his career development. When SBT signed him, he took his chance and made an impact. Later, he went on to become one of the best football players in India. He has had success both with top clubs and with the Indian national team.
travancore national bank football club
Travancore National Bank Football Club signed the attacker when he was just 17 years old. It was during this period that he transitioned to a midfield position. Pradeep has cemented his place as one of the highest-scoring midfielders with his agility and goal-scoring prowess. During his tenure at SBT, he helped the team win four Kerala League titles. During his tenure at SBT, he also represented the Kerala Under-17 and Under-21 teams. From 2002 to 2006, Pradeep was a member of Travancore National Bank Football Club. In 2006, Pradeep became a prime transfer target for a number of National League clubs, with Mumbai’s Mahindra United showing the greatest interest.
Mahindra United
Pradeep joins Mahindra United in the National League. His performance and versatility were key factors in Mahindra United’s signing of him; he joined the club in the 2006-2007 season. He remained a member of the club until the end of the 2009-2010 season, after which the management decided to disband the team. Pradeep often played as a full-back during this period, allowing him to develop different aspects of his game. After five years at the club, he bid farewell to the fans after the final game of the 2009-2010 season.
long live kerala
Pradeep signed with Viva Kerala in 2010 after finding himself without a club. He played for them in the 2010-2011 season and left them at the end of that season.
mohun bagan
Pradeep joins Mohun Bagan after spending one season with Viva Kerala. He completed his move from VIva Kerala at the end of the 2010-2011 season. Contracted for a season, he struggled to get playing time and found himself on the fringes of the Mohun Bagan bench. Pradeep decided to leave Mohun Bagan at the end of the 2011-2012 season to get more playing time.
mumbai tigers
Pradeep joined Mumbai Tigers (formerly known as Dosal FC) at the start of the 2012-2013 season looking to prove himself as he had underwhelming performances at Mohun Bagan. Some reports suggest that then head coach Bimal Ghosh and Pradeep’s fondness for the city were major factors in him signing for Mumbai Tigers. He played one season at the club and regained his form. At the end of the season, he was able to move to Mumbai FC.
mumbai football club
Pradeep signed with Mumbai FC for the 2013-2014 season. He was a member of the club from 2013 to 2016 and completed a loan spell at Chennaiyin FC of the Indian Premier League. Mumbai was his last club and he announced his retirement from professional football after the 2015-2016 season.
chennaiyin
NP Pradeep played in the inaugural season (2014) of the Indian Premier League Cup. He joined Chennaiyin FC on loan from Mumbai FC.
Chennaiyin announced the signing of NP Pradeep on its Facebook page
Fans were delighted with the deal being struck with Kerala defeating rivals Kerala Blasters. His experience will be crucial in the team’s first season. However, he did not make many appearances for the club and left at the end of the season after his loan contract expired. This was his final season in the Indian Premier League and he never played in the competition again.
international careers
In 2004, he made his debut for the Indian U20 national team and was selected for the U23 national team. Pradeep has captained the Indian U17, U20 and U23 teams. He won a silver medal with the Indian U20 team at the 2004 South Asian Games. He is considered by many to have the potential to surpass IM Vijayan’s record. In 2005, he was called up to the national team for the first time in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup in Bangladesh, which the Indian team eventually won; he was also a member of the Indian team that finished second in the 2008 Indian Football Federation Cup. The then India coach Bob Horton initially used Pradeep as a left-back but he returned to the midfield position in 2008. The Nehru Trophy 2007 was launched. The 2007 Nehru Trophy match proved to be the defining factor in Pradeep’s international career and after a brilliant season, he became a regular opener for the team. He scored the first goal for India in the Nehru Trophy and scored another goal in the final against Syria, helping India win the first ever Nehru Trophy.
NP Pradeep celebrates after scoring in the Nehru Trophy final (2007)
When he returned to Kerala after winning the Nehru Trophy in 2007, he received a hero’s welcome. Pradeep’s performance in the 2007 Nehru Trophy was well received by critics and fans alike. In 2009, he won the Nehru Cup again with the Indian national football team. He was part of the Indian football team that won the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, thereby qualifying for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. During the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Pradeep played a vital role in the defense of the Indian football team. He was able to attract the attention of many people with his personal performance; however, the Indian team failed to win a single victory in the group stage and was eliminated. After 2011, Pradeep did not get another chance to represent India and subsequently announced his retirement; injuries prevented him from continuing to participate in international competitions.
after retirement
After announcing his retirement from professional football, he served as a scout for the Reliance Foundation Youth Champions (RFYC). In 2016, it was announced that he had been appointed as the official scout for Kerala Blasters of the Indian Premier League. He has served as a commentator for Star Sports Network.
NP Pradeep with IM Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri during Hero ISL Season 6
Facts/Trivia
- He participated in a fundraising match with IM Vijayan to help the family of late Dhanarajan, who died while playing football in Kerala. Dhanaranjan is a former professional footballer who played in the I-League.
The atmosphere in Vaniambalam -Kerela yesterday was very good. Very well organized.grateful @IMVijayan1 &Joe organized this charity match to help the Dhanraj family and special thanks to Pradeep and Yashik for hosting the entire event successfully.#RIPDhanraj pic.twitter.com/U7ozkbtpEG
— Raman Vijayan (@vijayan04) January 13, 2020
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education