Jeakson Singh Thounaojam

Born in Manipur, to a family that loved football, Thounaojam's early introduction to the sport came from his father, who was a coach.[2] He was eleven years old when he left his hometown in Thoubal district to travel all the way to Chandigarh to join the Chandigarh football academy known as CFA.[3] After around five years at CFA, he later joined Minerva Punjab academy where he was the part of their youth team. He formed a crucial part of the club's academy team which would go on to win the AIFF U-15 & U-16 Youth League titles two years in a row. After the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Thounaojam was selected to play for the Indian Arrows, an All India Football Federation-owned team that would consist of India under-20 players to give them playing time, on loan from Minerva Punjab.[4][5] He made his first-ever professional debut for the side in the Arrows' first match of the season against Chennai City. He started and played 90 minutes as Indian Arrows won 3–0.[6]

In October 2018 Kerala Blasters FC announced the signing of Thounaojam.[7] He was put on to the reserve side and made 5 appearances for the side in the I-League 2nd Division. After the season he was once again loaned to Indian Arrows to get some playing time.

Thounaojam was promoted to the senior team by newly appointed Blasters coach Eelco Schattorie for the 2019–20 Indian Super League. He started in the opening game itself against ATK on 20 October 2019[8] becoming the second-youngest player for the Blasters, behind Dheeraj Singh. He played 82 minutes in the defensive midfield position before being substituted by Sahal Abdul Samad, as Kerala Blasters beat ATK 2–1 at home. He was later awarded the Emerging Player of the Match award. Despite the fact that the Blasters had a poor season, Thounaojam was one of their bright spots and ended up featuring in 13 games in his debut season for the senior side, playing mostly in his natural defensive midfielder position.[9]

On 12 December 2020, the Blasters announced that they have extended Thounaojam's contract till the end of 2023 season.[10] On 20 December, Thounaojam scored his first goal in the Indian Super League as well as for the Blasters by coming in as a substitute for Rohit Kumar in the 46th minute against East Bengal during the stoppage time, taking the game to a 1-1 draw.[11][12] On 27 December 2020, he had a good performance against Hyderabad FC, as Blasters registered their first win of the season by 2-0, where Thounaojam won the Man of the Match award.[13] In the South Indian Derby against Bengaluru FC on 20 January 2021, Thounaojam was deployed as a center-back for the first time in his career.[14]