Troubled knee won't let me play one last time for East Bengal: Bhaichung Bhutia

Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia said on Saturday that his troubled knee won't allow his wish to play for his club East Bengal one last time.

Having retired from India colours in 2011 against South Korea in the AFC Asian Cup, Bhutia last season said he wished to retire donning red and gold colours "one last time". "But I don't see that happening. I am really struggling with my knee injury and not in a shape to play the top-tier I-League for East Bengal. You can say that I am not going to play club again," Bhutia told reporters at the launch of East Bengal's residential academy in BA-CA ground in Salt Lake.

"I wish the club takes a professional approach. It will be difficult to start with but I wish the academy develops itself with the passage of time," Bhutia added.

Hailing the initiative by East Bengal, AIFF vice president Subrata Dutta said: "The idea should be to catch them young. The academy can be the breeding ground for many excellent talents all over the country."