Karun Kumar

Karun Kumar is an Indian professional football player who is currently signed for FC Hjørring in the Danish 1st Division. He previously played for many clubs including stints in Malaysia, Maldives, India, Myanmar and has the record of being the only Indian player to play in four different Foreign Leagues. He is also the first player of Malayali origin to play outside of India.
Early life and youth career
Karun was born to Malayali parents in the city of Trivandrum he is the youngest of the two children and moved to Malaysia when he was very young.
He began playing at the age of 15 and started playing for Sarawak U-19 team at the age of 17 and later got selected for a 6 month Manchester United goalkeeping camp under former England International David Seaman who was impressed by his brilliant goalkeeping skills.
Playing career
Club
Sarawak FA
Karun earned his first professional contract at the age of 19 and was the club's first choice Goalkeeper during the 2003-2004 Malaysia Premier League season and played until the 2004-2005 mid season before being loaned out to Club Valencia in the Dhivehi League for the rest of the season.After his short stint with Club Valencia he was again loaned out to Dhivehi League side New Radiant SC where he played untill the end of the 2005-2006 season.
HAL SC
Karun made his debut in India when he signed for HAL SC in the NFL 2006-2007 season where the club got relegated.
Fransa-Pax
After an unsuccessful season with HAL SC, Karun moved to Fransa-Pax FC for the NFL season 2007-2008 where the club played it's last seven games away which it took as a sign of being forced to relegate the club management authorities protested against the league committee and discontinued for the rest of the season. Karun was immediately loaned to fellow goan side Sporting Club de Goa which finished 2nd in the season and won the super cup.
Southern Railways
Karun moved to Tamil Nadu side Southern Railways for a short period of 3 months during which the club finished fourth in the Tamil Nadu State League.
Yangon United F.C.
Karun moved to Myanmar side Yangon United F.C. in the Myanmar National League in the 2008-2009 under former Ivory Coast International Goalkeeper Losseni Konaté whom Karun says to have helped him to become a better Goalkeeper and was Inspirational to him.
Mohun Bagan A.C.
Karun came back to India for a season with Mohun Bagan A.C. in the I-League although he was the first choice keeper he only made a few appearance due to injuries and disputes with the team manager he left the club after 3 months.
United Sikkim F.C.
After his injury-prone season with Mohun Bagan A.C. he moved to newly formed United Sikkim F.C. in 2010 in the I-League 2nd Division playing alongside with legendary Indian Striker Baichung Bhutia and helped them to get promotion in the I-League.
FC Hjørring
After his success with United Sikkim F.C. karun signed for Danish 1st Division side FC Hjørring in 2012 after an injury which kept him out for an year and has not yet made an appearance for the club due to a serious ankle injury.
International
Although Karun received call ups from both India and Malaysia, he was unable to play for any national team due to injury and other issues related to the club's refusal to allow him when he was playing for Sarawak FA.
Personal life
Karun was born to Malayali parents in the city of Trivandrum being the youngest of the two sons. His father died at the age of 17 and has struggled to find a way to live and support his family. Despite being a professional, Karun also takes part in Exhibition sevens Tournament along with friends and former colleagues in Kerala and tends to keep a friendly face with everyone.

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