Raju Eknath Gaikwad (born 25 September 1990) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender for I-League club Delhi. Gaikwad primarily plays as a centre back, but can also play as a full back and is a long throw specialist.
Career
Pailan Arrows
After spending time at Tata Football Academy Gaikwad signed for Pailan Arrows (then AIFF XI) in the I-League. He made his league debut for the club on 3 December 2010 against Prayag United at the Salt Lake Stadium which was also Pailan Arrows's first ever game in the I-League; Pailan lost 2–1.
East Bengal
In July 2011 Gaikwad signed for East Bengal after one season at Pailan and made his debut for the club on 4 February 2012 after missing the first few months of the season through injury.
Mohun Bagan A.C. In June 2015 Gaikwad signed for Mohun Bagan from rival club East Bengal.
Kerala Blasters
Kerala Blasters signed Raju as a replacement for Sandesh Jhingan in the 2019–20 ISL season.
International
Gaikwad made his debut for the India U23 on 23 February 2011 against Myanmar's U23s in the 2012 Olympic Qualifiers; India U23 won 2–1. He then made his senior debut for India on 21 March 2011 in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers against Chinese Tapei at the MBPJ Stadium in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia; India won 3–0. Gaikwad then won his first championship with India on 11 December 2011 when he helped India beat Afghanistan in the 2011 SAFF Cup. Gaikwad then went on to lead India to win the 2012 Nehru Cup when India managed to beat Cameroon's B team on 2 September 2012 at the Nehru Stadium in the Indian capital, Delhi.