Former India captain Baichung Bhutia has announced his plans to return from retirement to play for East Bengal Club in the I-League for a last time.

“I’ve earlier promised that I want to retire in an East Bengal jersey but it could not happen as I suffered an injury. But this season, I want to retire signing with East Bengal,” Baichung announced his suprising decision during a facilitation ceremony held at the East Bengal Club tent on Thursday.

“I will sign for the club in the winter transfer window and will start to practice in mid-February. I will try to be fit again and train. I will want to play as many matches as possible, but even 5-10 minute appearances will be good for me. I’m just coming back here to retire.”

“Still I’m not fully fit. I want to train and be fit and play. Even if, I’m playing my last competitive game, I want to play as a fit player.”

“Knee is still not in best shape after the surgery. I want to fight and play maybe the entire second leg of the league but if it does not happen then at least for the last match.”

“I’m not saying he (East Bengal coach Armando Colaco) has to include me. I should not be playing matches when I’m not fit. That will be unfair. If I’m fit, then you never know.”

“Please don’t think that it’s a comeback,” Baichung explained. “I could have done ISL but I had given a commitment to East Bengal that’s why I’m signing. I want to fulfil my commitment. I want to give my best.”

Baichung Bhutia, who has been officially inducted to the AFC Hall of Fame recently, had his final club appearance United Sikkim FC during the 2012-13 season, while he played his final match for the Indian national team in a farewell game against European giants FC Bayern Munich on January 10, 2012.

The new I-League season scheduled to kick-off on January 17, 2015.