Pappachen Pradeep

Pradeep used to play as a striker during his youth career and represented his state, Kerala, at Under-17 and Under-21 levels. At the age of 17 he signed for SBT and soon was transformed into a midfielder. He represented India at various age group levels, including the Under-20 team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 AFC Under-20 Championships. Pradeep continued to impress at SBT, helping them to win four Kerala League titles. His first call up to the senior team was during the 2005 SAFF Cup in Bangladesh, which India went on to win. In 2006, Pradeep made his first big move at club level as he joined National League champions Mahindra United. There Pradeep developed a quality of being very versatile as he also at times played as a fullback. The man from Kerala also captained the India Under-20 side that reached the last eight of the 2006 AFC Challenge Cup. He won the IFA Shield and reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup with Mahindra and caught the eye of newly appointed India coach Bob Houghton. Initially he was used as a left back by the English tactician but by the start of the 2007 Nehru Cup, Pradeep was in the India squad as a goal scoring midfielder. India's first goal in that competition was scored by the man from Kerala but his best moment came in the final. In 2016, he worked as a player scout for ISL side Kerala Blasters.

Viva Kerala FC

For the 2010–11 I-League season Pradeep signed with Viva Kerala and scored two goals in four games. He scored…

Pradeep played in multiple roles throughout his career. He is all time top goalscoring midfielder for India who as an attacking midfielder and has often scored scorching long rangers. He has played for India in the AFC Asia Cup 2007 qualifiers and scored a goal against Yemen. Pradeep has also represented India in the Vancouver Whitecaps Invitational in 2006 scoring a goal there as well. He played extremely well in India's exposure trip to Portugal in 2007 where they played Portuguese club sides. His most memorable performance was perhaps in the Nehru Cup 2007 where he scored two stunning goals, including the goal in the finals versus Syria which won India the cup. Incidentally he opened and also closed the scoring in the Nehru Cup 2007. Since then Pradeep has been a regular in the first eleven of the senior national team, helping them to win two more trophies. In the Asian Cup 2011 Pradeep played a vital defensive role for India. Despite his efforts India crashed out of the Asian Cup after three defeats in the group stage.

International goals

Scores and results list India's goal tally first.

After retiring from football, Pradeep worked as a scout for Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC).

India

AFC Challenge Cup: 2008 SAFF Championship: 2005; runner-up: 2008 Nehru Cup: 2007, 2009 India U20

South Asian Games Silver medal: 2004