Panthoi Chanu Elangbam (, born 1 February 1996) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Indian Women's League club East Bengal and India women's football team. In March 2024, she played the South Australia Women's National Premier Leagues for Metro United WFC to become the first woman from India to play the Australian Football League.
Early life Chanu is from Keirak village, Kakching district, Manipur. She is the daughter of Elangbam Chinglenkhomba and Elangbam Ongbi Shanti Leima of Keirak Makha Leikai.
She started playing football at the local club, Women Football Academy Kakching. In 2012, she moved to Eastern Sporting Union. She played for Union and Manipur Police in the Indian Women's League and the regional Manipur Women's League. During her early days, she used to travel for 50 km everyday to the Imphal Academy to learn the game.
Career Chanu first represented the Indian team in 2008 when she played for India under 13 team. Later, she played all age groups, representing India in the under 14, under 16 and under 19 teams.
In December 2022, she along with Bala Devi, moved to Spain where they underwent training cum trial stint at the Spanish Segunda Federación outfit Málaga.
In 2024, she signed a contract with the second tier National Premier Leagues Women's club Metro United WFC in the South Australian league, becoming the first Indian footballer to play professional football in Australia. She was spotted by head coach Paul Morris at the Women in Sports Elite Football Trials in October 2023 and later trained at the A-League club, Adelaide United FC.
In 2025, she was part of the Indian team that participated in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifier 2026 at Chiang Mai, Thailand. After her return, she was felicitated at a function in her village Keirak.
Domestic In the Hero Women’s National Football Championship, she played for Manipur Police and Manipur.
Career statistics International
National teamYearCapsGoalsIndia201410201500201600201750201800201910202100202200202340202470202580202660Total320
Honours
India SAFF Women's Championship: 2014, 2016, 2026 South Asian Games Gold medal: 2016, 2019
East Bengal SAFF Women's Club Championship: 2025 Indian Women's League: 2024–25, 2025–26
Eastern Sporting Union Indian Women's League: 2016–17
Manipur Rajmata Jijabai Trophy: 2019–20
Individual Indian Women's League Best Goalkeeper: 2017–18
Awards
She bagged the Women's goalkeeper of the year award by AIFF for 2024 season. She played for East Bengal.
See also List of Indian expatriate footballers
References
External links Elangbam Panthoi Chanu at All India Football Federation