Nikhil Prabhu

Naravi Nikhil Jayantha Prabhu (born 2 October 2000) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Indian Super League club Punjab and the Indian national team.

Early life Prabhu was born in Hyderabad, but moved to Mumbai with his family at the age of nine.

Club career

Youth career Prabhu got into football at the age of 9 when his school had a compulsory one sport option. He continued playing, went on to represent Gujarat in state level tournaments at an early age. However, after his family shifted to Mumbai, he was signed by then-I-League club Mumbai FC's youth team, where he played for three years.

Senior career

Hyderabad FC Prabhu signed for Indian Super League club Hyderabad FC on a three-year deal, ahead of the 2019–20 season. After a year in the reserve team, he was promoted to the senior squad ahead of the 2020–21 season. However, he failed to make a single appearance for the club throughout the season.

Prabhu remained with Hyderabad for the next season as well, but once again failed to make any appearances until he was loaned out to fellow ISL club Odisha FC.

Odisha FC On 30 December 2021, Odisha announced the arrival of Prabhu on loan, with an option for a permanent transfer at the end of the season. He made his debut for the club, and his senior debut, on 23 January 2022 away against ATK Mohun Bagan, replacing Hector Rodas at half time. The match eventually ended 0-0. Prabhu made two further appearances that season, coming on as a substitute in the club's last two games of the season. He made his first league appearance of the season away against East Bengal, coming on at half time as a substitute for Osama Malik with the club 2–0 down. However, Odisha came back and scored 4 goals in the second half, to win the match 4–2.

Prabhu made two further appearances for Odisha, before completing a mid-season switch to FC Goa.

FC Goa On 2 February 2023, FC Goa confirmed the signing of Prabhu on one-a-half-year contract. He made his debut for the club on 16 February 2023 at home against Chennaiyin FC, coming on as a half-time substitute for Ayush Chhetri. However, the Gaurs went on to lose the match 2–1. He played again in the club's next match, a 3–1 loss away to Bengaluru FC.

Punjab FC

2023–24 season Following their promotion to the ISL, Punjab FC announced Prabhu's signing on 22 June 2023, signing a three-year contract with the Shers. He made his debut for the club on 7 August 2023 in the 2023 Durand Cup, playing from the start in a 2–0 loss to Mohun Bagan.

Prabhu made his ISL debut for the club on 23 September 2023, playing from the start in a 3–1 loss for the Shers. Prabhu was deployed as a defensive midfielder from the start for the first time by then-Punjab head coach Staikos Vergetis away against Jamshedpur FC, as Prabhu played the full 90 minutes in an eventual 0–0 draw.

Prabhu scored his first goal for Punjab FC, and his first senior goal away against Bengaluru FC, scoring a close-range tap-in from a freekick near the halfway line by French midfielder Madih Talal in the 19th minute. The match eventually ended in a 3–3 draw.

Prabhu played 20 out of Punjab's 22 games in the 23–24 season, only missing out on home games against Chennaiyin and Goa as a result of suspension due to yellow-card accumulation. He made a total of 30 appearances for the club in all competitions, primarily as a defensive midfielder.

2024–25 season The following season, even after the departure of Vergetis, new Punjab head coach Panos Dilmperis continued to deploy Prabhu in defensive midfield.

Prabhu's first ISL appearance came against Kerala Blasters, playing the full 90 minutes at defensive midfield in an eventual 1–2 win for Punjab FC. Prabhu was named as Punjab FC captain for the first time in the reverse fixture against Kerala Blasters on 5 January 2025. Prabhu was given the armband for the match due to the regular captains Luka Majcen and Mushaga Bakenga being absent from the squad, and Filip Mrzljak being named on the bench. However, the Shers lost the match 1–0 after a Noah Sadaoui penalty in the 44th minute being the deciding goal.

Prabhu's first win as captain of Punjab came at home against Bengaluru FC on 1 February 2025. With Bakenga having retired, and both Majcen and Mrzjlak on the bench, Prabhu was given the armband again. This time though, Punjab won the game 3–2 after a late winner from Majcen.

Prabhu ended the season with 21 league appearances, as Punjab finished tenth. Prabhu made his international debut on 4 June 2025 against Thailand, coming on as a 67th minute substitute for Ayush Chhetri, as India succumbed to a 2–0 defeat.

Career statistics

Club

International