N. S. Manju
Nanjangud Shivananju Manju (born 9 May 1987) is an Indian professional footballer who played as a defender for Bengaluru FC in the I-League. He was capped 25 times for India. He is currently working as a Football Commentator in Star Sports 1 Kannada Channel for the Indian Super League. Career. Early career. In his early career, Manju played for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited S.C., Mahindra United, and Mohun Bagan A.C. all in the National Football League and I-League. Manju was nominated for the ‘Best Indian Player’ Award at the inaugural edition of the FPAI Awards Night  in 2009. United Sikkim. On 18 February 2011, it was announced that Manju had signed with United Sikkim F.C. of the I-League 2nd Division along with national team teammate Renedy Singh. The major decider in him going was the fact that the team was owned by his national teammate Baichung Bhutia. Pune FC (loan). On 7 January 2012, it was confirmed that Manju had signed for I-League side Pune F.C. on loan for the remainder of the 2011–12 I-League season. Bengaluru FC. After not playing at all during the 2012–13 I-League season, Manju signed for new  direct-entry I-League club Bengaluru FC for the 2013–14 season. He made his debut for the club on 2 November 2013 against Mumbai F.C. at the Balewadi Sports Complex in which he played the full match as Bengaluru FC drew the match 2–2. International. After doing well in domestic league football, Manju earned a call-up to the India national football team. Before playing for the seniors, Manju was captain of the India U23 team. He also was a part of the Indian national squad who won the prestigious Nehru Cup in 2007 and 2009. He was a part  of the squad that toured Barcelona as a preparatory camp for the Nehru Cup 2009, but unfortunately got himself injured in the first match of the Nehru Cup 2009 vs Lebanon which ruled him out of the Nehru Cup 2009, IFA Shield, Durand Cup as well as Federation Cup.