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{{Short description|Indian footballer (born 2005)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2023}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Som Kumar
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Som Kumar
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2005|02|27}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/players/profile/67951|title=Player Profile — Club Details: Som Kumar|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=[[All India Football Federation]]|access-date=23 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926074947/https://www.the-aiff.com/players/profile/67951|location=New Delhi|archive-date=26 September 2022}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Bangalore]], India
| height = {{height|m=1.91}}<ref name="besoccer"/>
| position = [[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]]
| currentclub = [[ND Slovan|Slovan]]
| clubnumber = 16
| youthyears1 = 2018
| youthclubs1 = [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]
| youthyears2 = 2018–2019
| youthclubs2 = Boca Juniors Academy
| youthyears3 = 2019–2020
| youthclubs3 = BYFL Academy
| youthyears4 = 2020–2021
| youthclubs4 = [[NK Bravo|Bravo]]
| youthyears5 = 2021–2022
| youthclubs5 = [[NK Krka|Krka]]
| youthyears6 = 2022
| youthclubs6 = [[NK Bravo|Bravo]]
| youthyears7 = 2022–2023
| youthclubs7 = [[NK Krka|Krka]]
| youthyears8 = 2023–2024
| youthclubs8 = [[NK Olimpija Ljubljana|Olimpija Ljubljana]]
| years1 =2024–2025
| clubs1 = [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]]
| caps1= 4
| goals1=0
| years2 =2025–2026
| clubs2 = [[NK Radomlje|Radomlje]]
| caps2= 0
| goals2=0
| years3 =2025–2026
| clubs3 = → [[ND Slovan|Slovan]] (loan)
| caps3= 0
| goals3=0
| years4 =2026–
| clubs4 = [[ND Slovan|Slovan]]
| caps4= 2
| goals4=0
| nationalyears1 = 2020–2022
| nationalteam1 = [[India national under-17 football team|India U17]]
| nationalcaps1 = 11
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2023–2024
| nationalteam2 = [[India national under-20 football team|India U20]]
| nationalcaps2 = 4
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 20:47, 8 March 2026 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}

'''Som Kumar''' (born 27 February 2005) is an Indian professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] for [[Slovenian Second League]] club [[ND Slovan|Slovan]].<ref name="NKR"/>

==Club career==
===Early and youth career===
Som began his playing career in hometown Bangalore, at the age of 13.<ref name="Khel Now 1">{{cite web|first1=Alen|last1=Philip Mathew|title=Playing high pressure games in Europe helped during SAFF U-20 Championships, reveals Som Kumar|url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-som-kumar-interview-part-3|location=Bengaluru|website=khelnow.com|publisher=Khel Now News|date=22 July 2023|access-date=11 October 2023|archive-date=27 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127084610/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-som-kumar-interview-part-3}}</ref> In 2018, he appeared with U13 side of [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]].<ref name="Khel Now 1"/> He then played for Boca Juniors U-13, and BYFL Academy team.<ref name="Khel Now 1"/> Kumar's competitive club career began in 2020, when he travelled to [[Slovenia]].<ref>{{cite web|first1=Alen|last1=Philip Mathew|title=Som Kumar opens up on challenges faced while living overseas and adapting new lifestyle|url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-som-kumar-interview-part-2|location=Bengaluru|website=khelnow.com|publisher=Khel Now News|date=19 July 2023|access-date=11 October 2023|archive-date=27 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127085356/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-som-kumar-interview-part-2}}</ref> At first, he signed with U17 team of [[NK Bravo]].<ref name="insidesport"/> With Bravo, he took part in an U15 summer tournament in Italy.<ref name="insidesport"/> In that competition, he became prominent in a match against [[Bologna FC 1909|Bologna U17]] in their 1–1 draw, in which he saved multiple penalties.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Alen|last1=Philip Mathew|title=Som Kumar reveals how chat with India youth coach Felix D'Souza influenced move to Europe|url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-som-kumar-interview-part-1|location=Bengaluru|website=khelnow.com|publisher=Khel Now News|date=16 July 2023|access-date=11 October 2023|archive-date=27 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127104605/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-som-kumar-interview-part-1}}</ref><ref name="insidesport">{{cite web|url=https://www.insidesport.in/exclusive-champions-league-qualifiers-at-sight-indian-goalkeeper-som-kumar-scripts-history/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Champions League Qualifiers at SIGHT, Indian goalkeeper Som Kumar SCRIPTS history|date=11 June 2023|access-date=26 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127101506/https://www.insidesport.in/exclusive-champions-league-qualifiers-at-sight-indian-goalkeeper-som-kumar-scripts-history/|archive-date=27 November 2023|first1=Triyasha|last1=Chatterjee|location=Kolkata|website=insidesport.in|publisher=Inside Sport India News}}</ref> He was then loaned out to another [[Slovenian Junior League|NextGen Liga]] club [[NK Krka]], signing with their U17 team.<ref name="insidesport"/> He helped the team achieving third place in the league.<ref name="NK Krka">{{cite web|first1=Riddhiman|last1=Sarkar|title=Top three players who are the "next big thing" in Indian football|url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-players-who-are-next-big-thing|location=Bengaluru|website=khelnow.com|publisher=Khel Now News|date=11 July 2023|access-date=11 October 2023|archive-date=27 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127144502/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-players-who-are-next-big-thing}}</ref> He later appeared with U19 teams of both NK Bravo and NK Krka until moving to Olimpija Ljubljana.<ref name="insidesport"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/football/young-indian-goalkeepers-look-to-make-a-mark-in-saff-u20-championship-5591173.html|title=Young Indian Goalkeepers Look to Make a Mark in SAFF U20 Championship|website=news18.com|date=20 July 2022|access-date=16 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724042605/https://www.news18.com/news/football/young-indian-goalkeepers-look-to-make-a-mark-in-saff-u20-championship-5591173.html|archive-date=24 July 2022}}</ref>

In February 2023, Som signed a contract with U19 side of [[NK Olimpija Ljubljana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzs.si/tekmovanja/?action=igralec&id_menu=722&id_kluba=832&id_igralca=215861|title=KLUBSKA TEKMOVANJA — 1. SLOVENSKA MLADINSKA LIGA 22/23|website=nzs.si|access-date=18 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318052730/https://www.nzs.si/tekmovanja/?action=igralec&id_menu=722&id_kluba=832&id_igralca=215861|archive-date=18 March 2023|language=sl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportzcraazy.com/som-kumar-from-bengaluru-to-slovenia-a-goalkeepers-journey-to-european-football/|title=Som Kumar: From Bengaluru to Slovenia – A Goalkeeper's Journey to European Football|first1=Adil|last1=Husain|website=sportzcraazy.com|publisher=Sport Crazy News|date=27 July 2023|access-date=27 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127090144/https://www.sportzcraazy.com/som-kumar-from-bengaluru-to-slovenia-a-goalkeepers-journey-to-european-football/|archive-date=27 November 2023}}</ref> He joined the team as their third-choice goalkeeper in mid-season transfer.<ref name="insidesport"/> After training with an Indian club, he joined Olimpija Ljubljana denying a move to the [[Indian Super League]], stating "That was a good experience for me; it helped me understand how an ISL team works, and they offered me a contract. It's nothing that I have against the club or the ISL, but at the moment, I think my focus is to stay in Europe and train in Europe."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://technosports.co.in/som-kumar-shares-cause-choosing-europe-over-isl/|date=29 July 2023|first1=Ankush|last1=Mallick|title=Som Kumar, 18 Years Old Indian Prodigy shares reasons for choosing Europe over ISL|access-date=26 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128142810/https://technosports.co.in/som-kumar-shares-cause-choosing-europe-over-isl/|archive-date=28 November 2023|website=technosports.co.in|publisher=Techno Sports India|agency=KhelNow}}</ref> He made his official league debut on 28 July, against NK Aluminij.<ref name="besoccer">{{cite web|url=https://www.besoccer.com/player/som-kumar-3477122|title=Player Profile :: Career Statistics :: Achievements :: Club Information|website=besoccer.com|publisher=BESoccer|access-date=26 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129143151/https://www.besoccer.com/player/som-kumar-3477122|archive-date=29 November 2023}}</ref> He soon became regular starter for the club after showcasing his goalkeeping abilities in 2022–23 NextGen Liga.<ref name="insidesport"/> He also made it to the team's [[UEFA European Under-19 Championship]] squad, alongside friendly tour to [[Austria]] in June.<ref name="PN">{{cite web|url=https://planetnogomet.si/novice/olimpija-priprave-som-kumar/|title=Olimpija začela priprave: Maria Kvesića ni bilo na spregled, zraven fantje z evropskega prvenstva in tudi 18-letni vratar iz Indije|trans-title=Olimpija started preparations: Mario Kvesić was conspicuously absent, along with the boys from the European Championship and also the 18-year-old goalkeeper from India|website=planetnogomet.si|publisher=Planet Nogomet Slovenia|language=sl|date=12 June 2023|access-date=23 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128133438/https://planetnogomet.si/novice/olimpija-priprave-som-kumar/|archive-date=28 November 2023}}</ref> In July, Som was called up to the senior squad, but remained uncapped in [[Slovenian PrvaLiga]].<ref name="Bio"/>

===Kerala Blasters===
In June 2024, Som was signed by the [[Indian Super League]] club [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] on a four-year deal, till 2028.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thebridge.in/football/kerala-blasters-sign-goalkeeper-som-kumar-nk-olympija-ljubljana-47757|title=ISL Transfers: Kerala Blasters sign goalkeeper Som Kumar from NK Olympija Ljubljana|date=11 June 2024|access-date=12 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612062510/https://thebridge.in/football/kerala-blasters-sign-goalkeeper-som-kumar-nk-olympija-ljubljana-47757|archive-date=12 June 2024|website=The Bridge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Blasters sign goalkeeper Som Kumar |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/2024/06/12/kerala-blasters-sign-goalkeeper-som-kumar.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Onmanorama |date= 12 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613191120/https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/2024/06/12/kerala-blasters-sign-goalkeeper-som-kumar.html |archive-date=13 June 2024 }}</ref> He was the first Blasters' signing under new coach [[Mikael Stahre]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sportstar |first=Team |date=2024-06-12 |title=ISL: Kerala Blasters signs young goalkeeper Som Kumar on four-year deal |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl-kerala-blasters-signs-som-kumar-first-signing-under-mikael-stahre-kbfc-indian-football-transfer-news/article68281488.ece |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Sportstar |language=en |archive-date=12 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612140650/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl-kerala-blasters-signs-som-kumar-first-signing-under-mikael-stahre-kbfc-indian-football-transfer-news/article68281488.ece }}</ref> Som made his senior debut on 1 August with Kerala Blasters in the [[2024 Durand Cup]] match against [[Mumbai City FC]], where he kept a clean-sheet as the Blasters won the match with a record-breaking score of 8–0.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sportstar |first=Team |date=2024-08-01 |title=Mumbai City vs Kerala Blasters highlights, Durand Cup 2024: MCFC 0–8 KBFC; Noah, Peprah score hattricks in Blasters' biggest win ever |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/mumbai-city-vs-kerala-blasters-live-score-updates-mcfc-v-kbfc-durand-cup-2024-goals-stream-highlights-news/article68472857.ece |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Sportstar |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803154352/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/mumbai-city-vs-kerala-blasters-live-score-updates-mcfc-v-kbfc-durand-cup-2024-goals-stream-highlights-news/article68472857.ece |archive-date=3 August 2024 }}</ref> He then kept two more consecutive clean sheets against [[Punjab FC|Punjab]] and [[Central Industrial Security Force|CISF Protectors]]. On 23 August, in the Durand Cup quarter finals against [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]], Som collided with Bengaluru striker [[Jorge Pereyra Díaz]] within eight seconds into the game, resulting in a head injury and was stretchered off after sustaining a severe cut.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharadwaj |first=Sathvik |title=Honed in Slovenia, Som seeks breakthrough at Blasters |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/honed-in-slovenia-som-seeks-breakthrough-at-blasters-3178728 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> Som made his Indian Super League debut on 20 October in a 2–1 win against [[Mohammedan SC (Kolkata)|Mohammedan Sporting]].{{fact|date=February 2026}}

===Radomlje===
On 3 February 2025, [[Slovenian PrvaLiga]] club [[NK Radomlje|Radomlje]] announced that they had signed a contract with Kumar.<ref name="NKR">{{cite web|url=https://www.nk-radomlje.si/iz-indijskega-velikana-v-radomlje/|title=IZ INDIJSKEGA VELIKANA V RADOMLJE|work=nk-radomlje.si|date=3 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204040812/https://www.nk-radomlje.si/iz-indijskega-velikana-v-radomlje/|archive-date=4 February 2025|access-date=4 February 2025|trans-title=FROM THE INDIAN GIANT TO THE LAND|language=sl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Alex |url=https://khelnow.com/football/som-kumar-nk-radomlje-details |title=Som Kumar joins NK Radomlje and becomes the youngest Indian footballer in Europe |date=13 February 2025 |website=KhelNow.com |access-date=6 July 2025}}</ref> He made his debut for the club on 6 July in a friendly match against Croatian side [[HNK Hajduk Split]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://khelnow.com/football/indian-football-som-kumar-makes-debut-slovenian-club-radomlje-against-croatian-giants-hajduk-202507|title=Indian goalkeeper Som Kumar makes debut for Slovenian club Radomlje against Croatian giants Hajduk Split in friendly clash|date=5 July 2025|access-date=7 July 2025|work=Khel Now|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250707142959/https://khelnow.com/football/indian-football-som-kumar-makes-debut-slovenian-club-radomlje-against-croatian-giants-hajduk-202507|archive-date=7 July 2025|first1=Saikat|last1=Sengupta}}</ref>

==International career==
Som is a former member of both Indian national under-16 and [[India national under-17 football team|under-17 team]]s.<ref>{{cite web|first=Sandeep|last=Menon|title=Winds of change in Bengaluru football?|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/winds-of-change-in-bengaluru-football-942280.html|location=Bengaluru|website=deccanherald.com|publisher=The Deccan Herald|date=23 January 2021|access-date=11 October 2021|archive-date=11 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011152430/https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/sports/football/winds-of-change-in-bengaluru-football-942280.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/national-team/men/u16|date=23 July 2022|title=India: U-16 Men — Squad vs Sharjah FC U18, 26th January, 2021|website=the-aiff.com|location=New Delhi|publisher=All India Football Federation|access-date=2 October 2023|archive-date=22 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322173705/https://www.the-aiff.com/national-team/men/u16}}</ref> He was part of India under-16 team's tour to the [[United Arab Emirates]], in which he appeared in their 4–2 win against [[Sharjah FC|Sharjah U18]] on 36 January 2021, coming as a substitute for Lionel Daryl Rymmei on 62nd minute.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/164|date=26 January 2021|title=Friendly Match — India 4–2 UAE U18 :: 2021-01-26 (17:10:00); Al Riqa Suburb — Sharjah, UAE|website=the-aiff.com|location=New Delhi|publisher=All India Football Federation|access-date=2 October 2023|archive-date=30 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130102846/https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/164}}</ref> He later earned call-up to the [[Shanmugam Venkatesh]] managed [[India national under-20 football team|India under-20]] team to participate at the [[2022 SAFF U-20 Championship]] in Odisha.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/venkatesh-announces-squad-of-23-for-saff-u20-championship|date=23 July 2022|title=Venkatesh announces squad of 23 for SAFF U20 Championship|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=All India Football Federation|location=Bhubaneswar|access-date=2 October 2023|archive-date=23 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723093251/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/venkatesh-announces-squad-of-23-for-saff-u20-championship}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-23 |title=India announce squad for SAFF U-20 Championship |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/india-announce-squad-for-saff-u-20-championship-1129422.html |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=deccanherald.com |publisher= The Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811034200/https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/india-announce-squad-for-saff-u-20-championship-1129422.html |agency=IANS }}</ref><ref name="SAFF U-20">{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/2022-saff-u-20-championship-india-fixtures-table-top-scorers-stadium/bltd512e9dee2af49e6|title=2022 SAFF U-20 Championship: Gurkirat scores four as India beat Bangaldesh 5–2 in the final|website=goal.com|access-date=9 August 2022|date=5 August 2022|publisher=[[Goal (website)|Goal]]|first=Soham|last=Mukherjee|archive-date=27 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127080739/https://www.goal.com/en/news/2022-saff-u-20-championship-india-fixtures-table-top-scorers-stadium/bltd512e9dee2af49e6}}</ref> He made crucial saves in their semi-final win against the Maldives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/india-beat-maldives-book-spot-saff-u20-cship-final-bangladesh-1503096405.html|title=India beat Maldives, book spot in SAFF U20 C'ship final with Bangladesh|agency=IANS|date=5 August 2023|access-date=27 November 2023|website=thestatesman.com|publisher=The Statesman|location=Bhubaneswar|archive-date=5 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205172615/https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/india-beat-maldives-book-spot-saff-u20-cship-final-bangladesh-1503096405.html}}</ref> At the final on 5 August, they clinched title defeating [[Bangladesh national under-20 football team|Bangladesh]] 5–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-beats-bangladesh-5-1-to-lift-saff-u20-championship-title-gurkirat-singh-football/article65732385.ece|title=India beats Bangladesh to clinch U20 SAFF Championship|website=sportstar.thehindu.com|publisher=[[Sportstar]]|date=5 August 2022|access-date=5 August 2022|first=21:34 IST|last=TEAM SPORTSTAR|location=Bhubaneswar, Odisha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805163036/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-beats-bangladesh-5-1-to-lift-saff-u20-championship-title-gurkirat-singh-football/article65732385.ece|archive-date=5 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/nxgn-india-who-is-gurkirat-singh-the-golden-boot-and-mvp/blt5922c381d7fcd425|title=NXGN India: Who is Gurkirat Singh? The starlet that won the golden boot and MVP award in SAFF U-20 Championship|website=goal.com|access-date=9 August 2022|date=7 August 2022|publisher=[[Goal (website)|Goal]]|first=Soham|last=Mukherjee|archive-date=9 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809070132/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/nxgn-india-who-is-gurkirat-singh-the-golden-boot-and-mvp/blt5922c381d7fcd425}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=India defeat Bangladesh to win SAFF U-20 Championship 2022 |url=https://khelnow.com/football/saff-u-20-championship-final-india-vs-bangladesh-match-report |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=khelnow.com| date=5 August 2022 |publisher=Khel Now |language=en |first1=Sattyik |last1=Sarkar |archive-date=22 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722103748/https://khelnow.com/football/saff-u-20-championship-final-india-vs-bangladesh-match-report }}</ref> He won best goalkeeper award in that edition.<ref name="SAFF U-20"/>

Som was also included in India's [[2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification]] squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/india-announces-23-member-squad-for-saff-u20-championship-indian-football-news/article65674192.ece|title=India announces 23-member squad for SAFF U20 Championship|website=sportstar.thehindu.com|publisher=[[Sportstar]]|date=23 July 2022|access-date=15 November 2022|first=15:29 IST|last=TEAM SPORTSTAR|location=Bhubaneswar, Odisha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006035740/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/india-announces-23-member-squad-for-saff-u20-championship-indian-football-news/article65674192.ece|archive-date=6 October 2022}}</ref> They travelled to Kuwait in October, faced Australia, Iraq and Kuwait, winning a single match, against hosts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidesport.in/afc-u20-asian-cup-qualifiers-live-india-brace-for-ultimate-kuwait-test-check-out-india-u20-vs-kuwait-u20-preview-prediction-live-stream-follow-live/|title=AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers LIVE: India brace for ULTIMATE Kuwait test — Check Out India U20 vs Kuwait U20 Preview, Prediction, LIVE Stream-Follow LIVE|date=18 October 2022|access-date=26 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027015939/https://www.insidesport.in/afc-u20-asian-cup-qualifiers-live-india-brace-for-ultimate-kuwait-test-check-out-india-u20-vs-kuwait-u20-preview-prediction-live-stream-follow-live/|archive-date=27 October 2022|first1=Triyasha|last1=Chatterjee|location=Kolkata|website=insidesport.in|publisher=Inside Sport India News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/india-beat-kuwait-2-1-win-but-fail-to-qualify-for-next-year-s-afc-u-20-asian-cup-101666162369550.html|title=India beat Kuwait 2–1, win but fail to qualify for next year's AFC U-20 Asian Cup|date=19 October 2022|access-date=30 November 2023|agency=PTI|website=hindustantimes.com|publisher=The Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019075141/https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/india-beat-kuwait-2-1-win-but-fail-to-qualify-for-next-year-s-afc-u-20-asian-cup-101666162369550.html|archive-date=19 October 2022}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Som was born and grew up in Bangalore.<ref name="Bio">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/som-sets-the-bar-high/articleshow/102161284.cms|title=Som Sets The Bar High|date=27 July 2023|access-date=27 November 2023|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|publisher=[[The Times of India]]|agency=TNN|first1=Manuja|last1=Veerappa|archive-date=23 October 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023142846/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/som-sets-the-bar-high/articleshow/102161284.cms?from=mdr|location=Bengaluru}}</ref> His parents Vivek Kumar and Shama Kittur, both are former national-level badminton players.<ref name="Bio"/>

== Career statistics ==

=== Club ===
{{updated|match played 6 August 2024}}<ref name="sw">{{Soccerway|876090}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! rowspan="2" |Club
! rowspan="2" |Season
! colspan="3" |League
! colspan="2" |Cup{{efn|Includes [[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]]}}
! colspan="2" |Continental
! colspan="2" |Other{{efn|Includes [[Durand Cup]]|name=}}
! colspan="2" |Total
|-
!Division
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|[[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]]
|[[2024–25 Kerala Blasters FC season|2024–25]]
|[[Indian Super League]]
|4||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||4||0||8||0
|-
! colspan="3" |Career total
!4!!0!!0!!0!! colspan="2" |'''—'''!!4!!0!!8!!0
|}

{{Notelist}}

==Honours==
'''NK Krka U-17'''
*[[Slovenian Junior League|NextGen Liga]] third place: 2021–22<ref name="NK Krka"/>

'''India U-20'''
*[[SAFF U-20 Championship]]: [[2022 SAFF U-20 Championship|2022]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Uttiyo |date=2022-08-07 |title=SAFF U-20 Championship 2022 review: India retain title |url=https://khelnow.com/football/saff-u-20-championship-2022-review-india-retain-title/ |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=khelnow.com |publisher=Khel Now News |language=en-US |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811051042/https://khelnow.com/football/saff-u-20-championship-2022-review-india-retain-title |location=Bhubaneswar }}</ref> [[2023 SAFF U-19 Championship|2023]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/champs-triple-strike-blue-colts-send-crippled-pakistan-packing|title=CHAMPS!!! Triple-strike Blue Colts send crippled Pakistan packing|location=Kathmandu|first1=Akhil|last1=Rawat|website=the-aiff.com|date=30 September 2023|access-date=28 October 2023|publisher=All India Football Federation|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129160252/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/champs-triple-strike-blue-colts-send-crippled-pakistan-packing}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
* [[SAFF U-20 Championship]] Best Goalkeeper: 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://saffederation.org/summary/1/9|title=SAFF U20 CHAMPIONSHIP 2022 — Overview|archive-date=14 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214135601/https://saffederation.org/summary/1/9|website=saffederation.org|publisher=South Asian Football Federation|access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal bar|India|Association football}}
* [[List of Indian expatriate footballers]]

==References==
'''Cited sources'''
{{reflist}}

'''Further reading'''
* {{cite web|url=https://footballexpress.in/som-kumar-opens-up-on-challenges-faced-while-living-overseas-and-adapting-new-lifestyle/|title=Som Kumar opens up on challenges faced while living overseas and adapting new lifestyle|date=21 July 2023|access-date=27 November 2023|website=footballexpress.in|publisher=Football Express India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127105606/https://footballexpress.in/som-kumar-opens-up-on-challenges-faced-while-living-overseas-and-adapting-new-lifestyle/|archive-date=27 November 2023|first1=Bharadwaj|last1=Reddy}}
*{{cite web|url=https://nkolimpija.si/igralci/som-kumar/|title=NK Olimpija — Igralci — Vratar: Som Kumar|work=nkolimpija.si|trans-title=NK Olimpija — Player profile — Biography: Som Kumar|language=sl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127110846/https://nkolimpija.si/igralci/som-kumar/|archive-date=27 November 2023|access-date=25 October 2023}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/suhail-bhat-india-u16-kashmir-uae-indian-football-aiff/uxrgyli67uqt1q6ei3b0e8zqz|title=Chronicling Suhail Bhat — The prodigy from Kashmir who made his mark in UAE|first=Soham|last=Mukherjee|date=27 January 2021|access-date=28 September 2022|website=goal.com|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928155143/https://www.goal.com/en/news/suhail-bhat-india-u16-kashmir-uae-indian-football-aiff/uxrgyli67uqt1q6ei3b0e8zqz|url-status=dead}}

==External links==
* {{Soccerway}}
* [https://www.flashscore.in/player/kumar-som/CQ6VfsLO/ Som Kumar] at FlashScore

{{DEFAULTSORT:Som, Kumar}}
[[Category:2005 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian men's footballers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian sportsmen]]
[[Category:India men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers from Bengaluru]]
[[Category:Men's association football goalkeepers]]
[[Category:Indian expatriate sportspeople in Slovenia]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Slovenia]]
[[Category:Indian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Indian Super League players]]
[[Category:Slovenian PrvaLiga players]]
[[Category:Slovenian Second League players]]
[[Category:Kerala Blasters FC players]]
[[Category:NK Radomlje players]]

Som Kumar - Revision history

Alexandria4997: created a bio