Jeje Lalpekhlua

Jeje Lalpekhlua, full name Jeje Lalpekhlua Fanai, is an Indian professional footballer who plays for Chennaiyin. He was born on 7th January 1991 at Hnahthial, Mizoram, India. Jeje was born in the passionate football family, his father and elder brother played for a local Mizoram Club while his uncle represented Mizoram in the Santosh Trophy. After four months of his Dad retired from the Model Sporting Club, Jeje made his debut in the club. Jeje’s career kick-started after a spectacular performance at the Wai Cup held in Mizoram. Jeje played too well in that match. The youth coach Colm Toal was too impressed by his performance; he made it to the U-19 selection camp in Gwalior. Jeje is the highest goal scorer in the Indian Super League.

At the age of 16, he signed for the Red Lizards at Goa. He was captain of the India U19 team in the South Asian Games. Jeje made his senior debut for Pune, which was in I-League 2nd Division, during the 2009 I-League 2nd Division. He scored five goals in nineteen games in his first two seasons at Pune. Jeje signed for I-League newcomers Indian Arrows on the one-year loan basis for the 2010-11 I-League from parent club Pune. The Indian Arrows only consist of Indian under-19 players. He scored one goal for Indian Arrow in the two games he played during the 2010 Federation Cup. On 3rd December 2010, Jeje took part in Indian Arrow first I-League against Chirag United, unfortunately, lost the game. 8th December 2010 was the privileged day for Jeje as he scored his first ever goal for Indian Arrows against ONGC FC.

After that, his game went too well, and he earned a lot of praise from many top AIFF personnel. On 13th March 2011, Jeje won the match against Air India in an I-League scoring four goals. He was recognized as the man of the match in his club’s win over HAL on 3rd April 2011. Jeje returned to his parent club Pune in the I-League on 7th July 2011. He started his first comeback game during the Federation Cup group stage match against Dempo on 17th September 2011, won the match. On 26th September 2011, he won the FPAI Best Young Player Award for the 2010-11 season. Jeje signed a two-year contract with Dempo on 15th June 2013. On 28th May 2014, Jeje signs the one-year deal with Mohun Bagan. Jeje made his debut for Bagan in a match against Tollygunge Agragami in the Calcutta Football League on 11th August 2014. Jeje signed the two-year contract with Chennaiyin for 2015 ISL season. In 2015, Jeje won the I-League with Mohun Bagan and the ISL with Chennaiyin, and awarded as the FPAI Football Player of the year.