Sporting Lisbon sign Sunil Chhetri for its reserve team

New Delhi: Sporting Clube de Portugal, popularly known as Sporting Lisbon football club, Thursday signed India captain Sunil Chhetri to play for its reserve team.

"With the aim of breaking ground in one of FIFA's most highly regarded markets, where more than 20 million players apply their trade, Sporting has put pen to paper with the Indian national team captain Sunil Chhetri, who will now join up with the club's reserve side," the top Portuguese club said on its website.

"I don't know what I will achieve there but I will work hard as I can. I will work hard to the extent that I don't have to regret anything later in life," said Chhetri at a media conference here.

Chettri earlier had appeared for trials at Coventry, Queens Park Rangers, and Glasgow Rangers without much success.

Earlier, All India Football Federation sources told IANS that Sporting Lisbon is planning to launch several development programmes in India, and Chettri will be a part of those activities as well. (IANS)