{{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 | currentclub = Slovan | clubnumber = 16 | youthyears1 = 2018 | youthclubs1 = Bengaluru | youthyears2 = 2018–2019 | youthclubs2 = Boca Juniors Academy | youthyears3 = 2019–2020 | youthclubs3 = BYFL Academy | youthyears4 = 2020–2021 | youthclubs4 = Bravo | youthyears5 = 2021–2022 | youthclubs5 = Krka | youthyears6 = 2022 | youthclubs6 = Bravo | youthyears7 = 2022–2023 | youthclubs7 = Krka | youthyears8 = 2023–2024 | youthclubs8 = Olimpija Ljubljana | years1 =2024–2025 | clubs1 = Kerala Blasters | caps1= 4 | goals1=0 | years2 =2025–2026 | clubs2 = Radomlje | caps2= 0 | goals2=0 | years3 =2025–2026 | clubs3 = → Slovan (loan) | caps3= 0 | goals3=0 | years4 =2026– | clubs4 = Slovan | caps4= 2 | goals4=0 | nationalyears1 = 2020–2022 | nationalteam1 = India U17 | nationalcaps1 = 11 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2023–2024 | nationalteam2 = 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 footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Slovenian Second League club 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.<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 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 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 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 and CISF Protectors. On 23 August, in the Durand Cup quarter finals against 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 Sporting.{{fact|date=February 2026}}
===Radomlje=== On 3 February 2025, Slovenian PrvaLiga club 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 under-17 teams.<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 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 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|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 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|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}} ! 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 |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''' *NextGen Liga third place: 2021–22<ref name="NK Krka"/>
'''India U-20''' *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<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