Samir Murmu Exclusive: Jamshedpur FC's Local Sensation - From Army Sepoy to a Man of Steel

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Jamshedpur FC has secured the services of promising striker Samir Murmu on a two-year contract. The 22-year-old from Bhagabandh village near Ghatsila has already made waves in the football scene with his goal-scoring abilities.

His remarkable performance in the 2023-24 Santosh Trophy, where he scored 10 goals in 13 matches, earned him the Player of the Tournament award and a call-up to the India U-23 squad.

Shortly after being announced as a Jamshedpur FC player, Samir Murmu gave an exclusive interview to MyKhel, depicting his journey from the start and his upcoming objectives.

"I feel great. I am really happy to sign for Jamshedpur FC. It is my home and it's abig moment for me. I have worked very hard for this and am thankful for this opportunity. I like to play as an attacking midfielder," Murmu says when asked about his move to Jamshedpur FC.

Born into a family passionate about football, Samir was inspired by his elder brother Prakash Murmu. His parents, Karthik and Joba Murmu, have been supportive throughout his journey. And the player says his family is over the moon with the signing.

"My parents are extremely happy that I will play in ISL. We used to dream about ISL, never thought that I would achieve it. My parents and brother watch ISL on the TV and they are extremely happy that I will play in the ISL."

Samir's journey began at the Football Feeder Center, supported by the Tata Steel Foundation. Under coach Kanu Murmu's guidance, he honed his skills and quickly advanced to represent Bihar and the Army in various tournaments.

"I started at Jamshedpur's Tata Steel Centre. Then I made the move to the Army Boys Hostel and worked extremely hard there. I joined the Army and then trained for a year. After performing well there, I got a chance for the Army Red team. I had good outings with the Army Red in Santosh Trophy and then the call from Jamshedpur came," Murmu says.

The youngster played in the Durand Cup last year and scored a goal against Bodoland FC. This year, Samir was part of the Army Red team which ironically eliminated JFC with a 3-2 win in the Durand Cup.

"People ask me about the Army. I work as a Sepoy in the Bihar regiment and it all started from there. I want to reach greater heights. My dream is to perform well in the ISL and play for India," a determined Samir asserts when asked about his dreams as a professional.

Head Coach Khalid Jamil is also ecstatic about Murmu joining the team. He spoke to the official website of JFC and shared his thoughts on the deal.

"Samir is an exciting young talent from our local community, bringing a unique combination of speed and versatility to the pitch. As a local player, he embodies our vision to nurture and showcase homegrown talent. With his ability to play across multiple positions - winger, attacking midfield, and striker - Samir offers flexibility and depth to our squad. His strong work ethic and dedication make him an excellent addition to our team."

The young striker's dedication and hard work have paid off as he becomes one of Kolhan region's first player outside of Jamshedpur to join the club. Murmu has been showing immense promise in his budding career, but it remains to be seen how he flourishes with the Men of Steel.