Anas Edathodika

Early career

Born in Kondotty, Malappuram, Kerala, Edathodika began to take up football as a serious activity when he was in the tenth grade when he joined the Malappuram U14s. While playing football, Edathodika also worked as an auto-driver who would drive people around town for Rs. 180 a day. He then joined the football team of N.S.S College, Manjeri, where he groomed his skills under Dr. P.M. Sudhir Kumar. Eventually he was spotted by former India international Feroz Sherif while playing in an inter-collegiate game. Sherif advised Edathodika to attend the trials for I-League 2nd Division side Mumbai which Edathodika did. He passed the trials and was signed by the club on a one-year deal.

After one season with Mumbai, Edathodika managed to lead the club to promotion to the I-League. After helping the club gain promotion he was re-signed by the club on a three-year deal. While at Mumbai, Edathodika credited his former head coach Dave Booth for making him the defender he is today.

Pune

After playing for four seasons with Mumbai Edathodika signed for rivals Pune F.C. of the I-League on a two-year deal on 23 July 2011. On his signing, Pune's Head of Operations, Chirag Tanna, said "We have been tracking Anas's progress since the last two years and we are glad that he has signed a two-year contract". One of his first matches for the club came up in a friendly against English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers at the Balewadi Sports Complex on 7 October 2011. However, the match did not last long for Edathodika as he was sent off after 15 minutes for his second yellow card for a rough tackle on Mauro Formica.

Before the 2012–13 season it was revealed that Edathodika had been hit with malaria which made him miss part of Pune's pre-season. However, it was reported that on 2 August 2012 that he had returned to Pune's pre-season training. After that set-back Anas had his best season yet in his footballing career in which he started in all 26 matches for Pune in the I-League, helping the Pune defence concede only twenty-six goals that season. Due to this feat Edathodika managed to win the Pune Football Club Player of The Year award for 2012–13. In winning the award, he became the first Indian to win the club's biggest award and also the first defender to win it.

As another reward for his impressive two seasons at the club Edathodika was offered a two-year contract extension by the club which he accepted.

2013–14 season

Going into the 2013–14 season Edathodika was named as the club captain. He led the side in the club's first league match of the season against Mohammedan at the Salt Lake Stadium on 21 September 2013. Edathodika played the full match for Pune as the club won the match 3–1. After the match, he said on wearing the captain's armband for the first time that he was very honoured and that he thank new head coach, Mike Snoei, on giving him the opportunity to lead the side, "Honestly much honoured… great. I had never worn the captain's arm band ever. This was a first in my playing career at any level as far as my memory stretches and I am thankful to one and all for this opportunity. Initially, coach said he was taking a risk by fielding me in the playing eleven, but when he announced that I was leading the side I got the confidence I needed. I thank coach for helping me believe."

Delhi Dynamos:→ In Delhi Dynamos he was called as 'the wall' by his fans.Roberto Carlos and Florent Malouda lauded him as a world class Defender.Roberto Carlos said:"Iam Surprised Anas Edathodika is not part of Indian team".Anas was selected to Indian team after his consistent performance in ISL and I-League.

Awards→: FPAI Awards-2017:Indian Player of the Year

Club

International