PANAJI
As the Indian Super League (ISL) gears up for another thrilling season on Friday, all teams have actively reshaped their squads through a flurry of transfers and contract extensions. With several clubs making some important changes, the upcoming season promises to be an exciting one. FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Jamshedpur FC, and Kerala Blasters are among the teams making headlines with their latest moves. From high-profile departures to promising new signings to great extensions. Here is the detailed update at how these clubs have prepared for the new season with their new signings and outgoings
FC Goa
Coach Manolo Marquez returns to FC Goa, aiming to guide the team to the top after their close call with the title last season.
After narrowly missing the ISL title last season, FC Goa has undergone significant changes. Departures include key players like Noah Sadaoui, Paulo Retre, Victor Rodriguez, Devendra Murgaonkar, Leander D’Cunha, Brandon Fernandes, Carlos Martinez, Dheeraj Singh, Narayan Das, Sanson Pereira, and Saviour Gama.
To strengthen their squad, FC Goa has signed Lara Sharma, Iker Guarrotxena, Dejan Dražić, Alan Saji, Sanatomba Singh Yanglem, Armando Sadiku, Borja Herrera, Laxmikant Kattimani, Sahil Tavora, Aakash Sangwan, Rowllin Borges, and Muhammad Hamad.
Additionally, they have extended contracts for Jay Gupta, Odei Oneindia, Arshdeep Singh, and Raynier Fernandes.
Hyderabad FC
Coach Thangboi Singto will manage Hyderabad FC as they seek to overcome financial challenges and make a stronger impact this year.
Hyderabad FC is addressing financial issues while making key player movements. Departures include Mark Zothanpuia, Laxmikant Kattimani, Sahil Tavora, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Makan Winkle Chothe, Sajad Hussain, Jeremy Zohminghlua, and Joseph Sailo.
The club has brought in Lenny Rodrigues, Arshdeep Singh, CY Goddard, Sourav K, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Ayush Adhikari, Devendra Murgaonkar, Parag Shrivas, and Leander D’Cunha.
Bengaluru FC
Coach Gerard Zaragoza will be at the helm of Bengaluru FC, aiming to improve on last season's disappointing finish.
Following a disappointing 2023-24 season where they finished 10th, Bengaluru FC is overhauling their squad. New signings include Lalthuammawia Ralte, Pedro Capo, Edgar Mendez, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Alberto Noguera, Rahul Bheke, and Mohammed Salah.
Departures from the team are Olivier Drost, Slavko Damjanovic, Keeziah Veendorp, Amrit Gope, Javi Hernandez, Rohit Kumar, Robin Yadav, Lara Sharma, Shankar Sampingraj, Parag Shrivas, and Ajay Chhetri.
Chennaiyin FC
Coach Owen Coyle continues with Chennaiyin FC, looking to lead the team further into the playoffs after last season’s strong performance.
Despite not having the strongest squad on paper, Chennaiyin FC managed to reach the playoffs last season under Owen Coyle but fell short in the later stages. The team has been active in the transfer market, adding Gurkirat Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai, Kiyan Nassiri, Wilmar Jordan Gil, Daniel Chima Chukwu, PC Laldinpuia, Elsinho, Lukas Brambilla, Mohammad Nawaz, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Laldinliana Renthlei, and Jitendra Singh to their lineup.
The club have parted away with Rafael Crivellaro, Jordan Murray, Lazar Cirkovic, Cristian Battocchio, Rahim Ali, Ayush Adikari, Ninthoi Meetei, Debjit Majumder, Aakash Sangwan, Mohammed Rafique, Devansh Dabas, Sweden Fernandes, and Sachu Siby.
Contract extensions have been given to Connor Shields, Samik Mitra, Ryan Edwards, and Jiteshwor Singh.
East Bengal
Coach Carles Cuadrat will manage East Bengal FC, who are aiming to build on their recent silverware and improve their ISL performance.
East Bengal, who won silverware after a 12-year drought and earned a spot in Asia, will look to improve their ISL performance. The team has made several significant signings including Dimitrios Diamantakos, David Lalhlansanga, Mark Zothanpuia, Madih Talal, Provat Lakra, Debjit Majumder, Jeakson Singh, Hector Yuste, Anwar Ali, and Mark Zothanpuia.
Departures include Javi Siverio, Borja Herrera, Felicio Brown, Aleksandar Pantic, Victor Vazquez, Jose Antonio Pardo, Mandar Rao Desai, and Mobashir Rahman.
The club has extended contracts for Saul Crespo, Cleiton Silva, Hijazi Maher, Mohamad Rakip, and Nishu Kumar.
Jamshedpur FC
Coach Khalid Jamil will manage Jamshedpur FC, with the team undergoing a significant overhaul.
Jamshedpur FC has made major changes after losing several standout performers. New signings include Jordan Murray, Lazar Cirkovic, Nishchal Chandan, Sourav Das, Sreekuttan VS, Albino Gomes, Amrit Gope, Samir Murmu, Mobashir Rahman, Stephen Eze, Javi Hernandez, Shubham Sarangi, Aniket Jadhav, and Ashutosh Mehta. Departures include Alen Stevanovic, Elsinho, PC Laldinpuia, Daniel Chima Chukwu, Jitendra Singh, TP Rehenesh, Provat Lakra, and Komal Thatal.
The club has extended contracts for Rei Tachikawa, Seiminlen Doungel, Javier Siverio, and Pronay Halder.
Kerala Blasters
Mikael Stahre is at the helm of Kerala Blasters FC, aiming to build on the team’s recent playoff appearance.
Under new management by Mikael Stahre, Kerala Blasters have strengthened their squad with the addition of Som Kumar, R Lalthanmawia, Nora Fernandes, Noah Sadaoui, Alexandre Coeff, Jesús Jiménez, Huidrom Naocha Singh, and Muhammad Saheef.
Departures include Marko Leskovic, Dimitrios Diamantakos, Fedor Cerynch, Daisuke Sakai, Karanjit Singh, Jeakson Singh, Nishu Kumar, Givson Singh, and Justine Emmanuel.
Contract extensions have been given to Adrian Luna, Milos Drincic, and Sandeep Singh.
Mohammedan SC
Coach Andrey Chernyshov takes charge of newly-promoted Mohammedan FC, making their debut in the ISL.
Following their promotion to the ISL, Mohammedan SC has made several new signings, including Franca, Cesar Lobi Manzoki, Mohammed Kadiri, Joe Zoherliana, K Lalrinfela, Jeremy Laldinpuia, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Soraisam Robinson Singh, and Fahad Temuri. Departures include Eddie Hernandez, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, William Lalgoulien, David Lalhlansanga, Laishram Bedashwor Singh, Biaka Jongte, James Kithan, Evgeny Kozlov, Karandeep, Abhash Thapa, Juan Nellar, and Abhijit Sarkar.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Coach Jose Molina has returned to India to manage Mohun Bagan Super Giant, aiming for another successful campaign after a near domestic treble last season.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant, after a near domestic treble, has made important changes under new coach Jose Molina. New arrivals include Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia), Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Greg Stewart, Jamie Maclaren, Dheeraj Singh, and Saurabh Bhanwala.
Departures are Lalrinliana Hnamte, Kiyan Nassiri, Hector Yuste, Brendan Hamill, Armando Sadiku, Joni Kauko, Hugo Bumous, and Ashutosh Mehta.
While, Dimitri Petratos has extended his contract.
Mumbai City FC
Coach Petr Kratky, who guided Mumbai City FC to the title last season, returns to lead Mumbai City FC in their title defense.
Reigning ISL champions Mumbai City FC have bolstered their squad with new signings such as Brandon Fernandes, TP Rehenesh, Noufal PN, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Jérémy Manzorro, Hardik Bhatt, Jon Toral, Sahil Panwar, Nikolaos Karelis, Hitesh Sharma, and Supratim Das.
Departures include Iker Guarrotxena, Rahul Bheke, Jorge Pererya Diaz, Vinit Rai, Alberto Noguera, Mohammad Nawaz, Yakub Vojtus, Gurkirat Singh, Bhaskar Roy, Rowllin Borges, Naorem Tondonba Singh, Huidrom Naocha Singh, Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia), and Vinit Rai.
However, Valpuia, Tiri, Jayesh Rane, and Lallianzuala Chhangte have had their contracts extended.
NorthEast United FC
Coach Juan Pedro Benali takes charge of NorthEast United FC, looking to build on last season’s near playoff qualification.
NorthEast United FC, narrowly missing out on the playoffs last season, has added Mayakkannan Muthu, Guillermo Fernández, Alaeddine Ajaraie, Robin Yadav, Ankith P, and Alfred Lalroutsang to their roster.
Departures include Tomi Juric, Manvir Singh, Gani Nikam, Gaurav Bora, Hira Mondal, and Rochharzela.
Contract extensions have been given to Bemmamer and Asheer Akhtar.
Odisha FC
Coach Sergio Lobera will lead Odisha FC as they aim to bounce back after narrowly missing out on top honors last season.
Odisha FC, having missed out on the ISL League Winners’ Shield and title, will be looking for improvement under Sergio Lobera. New signings include Rohit Kumar, Hugo Bumous, Raynier Fernandes, Rahim Ali, Saviour Gama, Givson Singh, and Amey Ranawade.
Departures include CY Goddard, Aniket Jadhav, Michael Soosairaj, Pranjal Bhumij, Princeton Rebello, Sahil Panwar, Laldinliana Renthlei, Lalthuammawia Ralte, and Shubham Sarangi.
While, Carlos Delgado and Roy Krishna have extended their contracts.
Punjab FC
Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis is set to steer Punjab FC, which is debuting a new foreign contingent and coach.
Punjab FC, aiming to build on their debut season, has brought in a new foreign contingent and coach. The club’s new signings include Vinit Rai, Muheet Shabir, Ninthoinganba Meetei, Nihal Sudeesh, Filip Mrzljak, Ivan Novoselec, Mushaga Bakenga, Ezequiel Vidal, Asmir Suljic, and Princeton Rebello.
Departures are Dimitrios Chatziisaias, Mohammad Salah K, Madih Talal, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Krishnanda Singh, Juan Mera, Daniel Lahlimpuia, Wilmar Jordan Gil, Kiran Chemjong, Shibin Raj Kunniyil, Deepak Devrani, and Prasanth K.
Contract extensions have been given to Ashis Pradhan, Ricky Shabong, Manglenthang Kipgen, Suresh Meitei, and Ravi Kumar.
As the new season approaches within the next 24hrs, these changes will certainly make for an interesting campaign in the ISL. Fans can look forward to a fresh wave of talent and strategies as teams aim for glory.
