Exclusive: Hyderabad FC sign Brazilian striker Allan Paulista

The Nizams are racing against time to complete their foreign quota before their first ISL match.

Hyderabad FC‘s new owners, the BC Jindal Group, have worked tirelessly to prepare the club for the upcoming ISL 2024-25 season. With the club’s multiple transfer bans from FIFA and AIFF still in place, they are in the process of clearing pending dues of former players and coaches and are actively working with relevant authorities to lift them.

To rebuild their depleted squad, Hyderabad FC signed eight new Indian players, all free agents. Due to the bans, the club could not sign players under contracts. Notably, five of the eight players terminated their contracts with their existing clubs to join the new project, hoping to secure game time and rejuvenate their careers.With 24 Indian players already in pre-season training under head coach Thangboi Singto, the team recently played a closed friendly against Sreenidi Deccan FC. The Nizams were on the end of a narrow 1-0 defeat in the friendly.

After signing Japanese winger Cy Goddard as their first foreign player, Hyderabad FC have completed the signing of their second foreign recruit for the ISL 2024-25 season.

Khel Now can exclusively reveal that Brazilian striker Allan Paulista has completed all formalities and officially passed his medical to join Hyderabad FC.

“Hyderabad FC have done well to sign Allan Paulista, who was in demand in multiple other Asian leagues. He’ll bring some samba magic to Indian football with his skills and goals,” a source tracking the player told Khel Now.

The 25-year-old striker, born in São Paulo, began his career with Real Noroeste CFC in the Brazilian regional leagues. His breakthrough came in February 2024 when he joined Chinese League One club HLJ Ice City. Paulista made 13 appearances for HLJ Ice City during the 2024 season, scoring four goals and providing two assists.

Allan Paulista has completed his medical in Brazil and signed the necessary paperwork in the last few hours. Hyderabad FC are now working on processing his visa application so he can join the squad for training as soon as possible.

Hyderabad FC’s preparations for the ISL 2024-25 season

The Nizams were not very active in the transfer market in July, as the club could not find the new owners on time. They withdrew from the 2024 Durand Cup due to their inability to assemble a proper squad. However, with the new ownership under the BC Jindal Group, the club have started signing players for the new season.

On transfer deadline day, they secured the signatures of Sourav K, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Ayush Adhikari, Devendra Murgaonkar, Parag Shrivas, and Leander D’Cunha. They later went on to sign a goalkeeper, Arshdeep Singh, and veteran, Lenny Rodrigues. Japanese winger Cy Goddard became the club’s first foreign signing of the 2024-25 season.

Hyderabad FC’s full squad for ISL 2024-25:

Goalkeepers: Arshdeep Singh, Biaka, Aaryan Saroha

Defenders: Parag Shrivas, Leander D’Cunha, Mohammed Rafi, Manoj Mohammad, Vijay Marandi, Alex Saji, Soyal Joshy

Midfielders: Abhijith PA, Aron Vanlalrinchhana, Rashid M, Abdul Rabeeh, Lalchhanhima Sailo, Amon Lepcha, Ayush Adhikari, Lenny Rodrigues, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Sourav K

Forwards: Devendra Murgaonkar, Ramhlunchhunga, Aaren D’Silva, Joseph Sunny

Foreigners: Cy Goddard, Allan Paulista

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.