ISL 2025-26: All completed transfers ahead of the new season

Several foreign players left their clubs on loan ahead of the new ISL season in less than three weeks

After a long break, the Indian Super League is set to resume on 14th February 2026 onwards. 14 different teams from various corners of this country will compete to become the champions of India, as a continental spot will also be at stake for the ISL Shield winners.

With just a few weeks to go and the January transfer window now officially closed following deadline day, clubs have shifted their focus fully to on-field preparations. The delayed start to the ISL 2025–26 season led to a busy window, marked by significant movement, particularly among foreign players, many of whom departed their franchises on loan during January.

In this article, we take a closer look at all the transfers that were completed during the January transfer window.

From veteran foreign players like Tiri, Hugo Boumous and Adrian Luna departing their respective clubs to teams bolstering their squad by acquiring the services of playmakers like Imran Khan and Rowlin Borges, we take a look at how the clubs fared in the January transfer window.

Kerala Blasters

In – Victor Bertomeu, Matias Hernandez, Kevin Yoke, Marlon Roos-Trujillo, Oumar Bah, Muhammad Ajsal, Rowlin Borges, Ebindas Y, Jaganath Jayan,

Out – Md. Azhar, Md. Aimen, Dusan Lagator, Koldo Obieta, Noah Sadaoui (loan), Adrian Luna (loan), Juan Rodriguez, Tiago Alves, Amey Ranawade, Nora Fernandes

The Tuskers have been the most active team during the January transfer window. The club saw their captain, Adrian Luna, and their top scorer, Noah Sadaoui, leaving the club on loan for the remainder of the season. Apart from that, two of their homegrown youngsters, like Azhar and Aimen, also made a move to Delhi.

Meanwhile, they bolstered their squad by acquiring the services of Rowlin Borges, Matias Hernandez from Gokulam Kerala, Kevin Yoke, who even featured for PSG reserves, and Marloon Roos-Trujillo, who has plied his trade with many Bundesliga clubs during his young days. They have also added more firepower to their squad by signing 33-year-old Spanish forward Victor Bertomeu and he becomes the 4th foreign signing of the club.

They have also signed their 5th foreigner, 31-year-old Senegalese centre-back Oumar Bah on a short-term contract running until the end of the 2025-26 ISL season.

The Blasters have also promoted 3 academy prospects, Ebindas, Ajsal and Jaganath to the first team.

Chennaiyin FC

In – Imran Khan, Alberto Noguera, Inigo Martin, Mohammed Ali Bemammer, Eduardo Kau

Out – NA

The Marina Machans have bolstered their squad by adding Imran Khan, who had been an absolute menace from the flanks for Jamshedpur FC last season.

They have also acquired the likes of ISL-experienced Alberto Noguera, who has played for major ISL clubs like Bengaluru FC, FC Goa & Mumbai City FC, ahead of the upcoming ISL season. Along with that, they have also added more experience to their midfield with the signing of former Northeast United player, Mohammed Ali Bemammer.

Chennaiyin FC have also signed 2 more foreigners, 1 in the attacking area and the other in the defensive area. Chennaiyin completed the signing of 26-year-old Spanish attacker Inigo Martin and have also added left footed Brazilian centre-back Eduardo Kau who is known for his aerial strength and calm build up play from the back.

Northeast United FC

In – NA

Out – Alaeddine Ajaraie (loan), Chema Nunez

The Highlanders were handed a big blow after their top scorer and the Golden Boot winner of last season, Alaeddine Ajaraie, departed to Indonesian top-tier league as a loanee amidst the uncertainty that prevailed around the future of the Indian Super League. Northeast United FC also let go of their prolific midfielder Chema Nunez ahead of ISL 2025-26.

Bengaluru FC

In – NA

Out – Salaheddine Bahi, Rohit Danu

The Moroccan centre back has departed from Bengaluru FC after joining the club in October last season to feature in the AIFF Super Cup 2025.

They have also let go of young talented winger, Rohit Danu, who now joins Inter Kashi FC ahead of the upcoming season of Indian Super League.

Odisha FC

In – NA

Out – Hugo Boumous(loan)

One of the most decorated players in Indian football, Hugo Boumous, was phenomenal last season for the Juggernauts despite the Odisha-based outfit failing to reach the playoffs. He departed Odisha FC to join Selangor FC in the Malaysian top tier as a loanee.

East Bengal

In – Youssef Ezzejjari, Jerry Mawihmingthanga

Out – Hamid Ahadad, Hiroshi Ibusuki

The Red and Gold Brigade parted ways with two of their foreign strikers, Hamid Ahadad and Hiroshi Ibusuki. The Japanese striker has recently joined Australian outfit Western Sydney in A League. As the replacement of Hiroshi, they have managed to bring in an experienced striker in the form of Youssef Ezzejjari.

East Bengal further continues to strengthen their squad with the signing of Indian attacker Jerry Mawihmingthanga. Jerry has completed his move to East Bengal ahead of the ISL 2025–26 season, adding pace and experience to the Red and Gold Brigade’s attack.

FC Goa

In – Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Ishan Pandita

Out – Javi Siverio, David Timor, Borja Herrera, Iker Guarrotxena

The Gaurs saw too many foreign players, including the likes of some of their key players, like Borja Herrera and David Timor, departing the club. The Gaurs, after an underwhelming performance in the AFC Champions League 2, went on to win the AIFF Super Cup 2025.

Two key forwards, Siverio & Guarrotxena, also left the club amid the uncertainty surrounding the league. Siverio left FC Goa and joined the Cyprus league and is playing for Ethnikos, while Guarrotxena has joined the Indonesian Super League for Persijap Jepara.

The Super Cup winners have roped in the services of Indian forward Daniel Lalhlimpuia ahead of this ISL season. The forward has played for various ISL clubs like Mumbai City FC and Odisha FC.

The Gaurs have also managed to secure the signing of Indian striker Ishan Pandita. The move marks a homecoming of sorts for Pandita, who had previously been part of the Gaurs’ setup before moving on in search of regular football. His return adds familiarity and depth to FC Goa’s squad, with the club banking on his experience and understanding of their playing philosophy as they gear up for the new season.

Mumbai City FC

In – Nuno Reis, Joni Kauko

Out – Jon Toral, Tiri

The Islanders have parted ways with Tiri, who came to India for the first time a decade ago in 2016. Tiri penned down an emotional tweet after playing in India for almost a decade. He recently joined Indonesian outfit Persijap.

They also let go of their midfield maestro Jon Toral ahead of the upcoming season. The Spaniard has also joined the Indonesian Super League and is playing for Persik Kediri.

The Islanders managed to sign Portuguese Centre-back Nuno Reis ahead of the upcoming ISL season. He adds quality and experience to the defense of Mumbai City FC and will try to fill the gap left due to the departure of Tiri.

Further, they also managed to fill the gap left by the departure of Jon Toral with the signing of Finnish midfielder Joni Kauko. Joni brings quality to the squad and also a lot of experience with him. He has previously featured for Mohun Bagan SG & Inter Kashi.

Inter Kashi

In – Seiminlen Doungel, Nishu Kumar, Jayesh Rane, Narender Gahlot, Rohit Danu, Lluís Tarrés, Sergio Llamas, Alfred Planas, David Humanes, Nauris Petkevicius

Out – Matija Babovic, Arindam Bhattacharya

Veteran custodian Arindam Bhattacharya decided to hang up his boots after leading Inter Kashi to I-League glory. The Varanasi-based outfit also parted ways with Serbian striker Matija Babovic ahead of the new ISL season.

The I-League winners have strengthened their squad by bringing in valuable ISL experience in the form of Jayesh Rane, Nishu Kumar, Rohit Danu, Narender Gahlot & Seiminlen Doungel. They have also managed to sign Lluís Tarrés, Sergio Llamas, Alfred Planas and David Humanes as their foreign contingents.

Along with that they have managed to pull the signing of 25-year-old Lithuanian National team striker Nauris Petkevicius from FK Suduva as their 5th foreign signing.

Sporting Club Delhi

In – Mohammed Aimen, Mohammed Azhar, Ashutosh Mehta, Matija Babovic, Abdul-Halik Hudu & Ebenezer Amoh, Nora Fernandes

Out – Andrei Alba

Sporting Club Delhi completed the signings of Twins Mohammed Aimen & Mohammed Azhar from Kerala Blasters FC, ahead of the upcoming ISL season. The move came after the contracts of the twins were about to expire with Kerala Blasters FC at the end of 2025-26 season. They have also managed to sign ISL experienced right back Ashutosh Sharma, adding quality and leadership ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The phoenix has also managed to strengthen their foreign contingent as well, with the arrival of Matija Babovic, Abdul-Halik Hudu & Ebenezer Amoh. They add solidity in the midfield and attack ahead of this crucial season.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian midfielder Andrei Alba has left Sporting Club Delhi to join the Indonesian side Persis ahead this upcoming season.

While several clubs chose to reshuffle their squads before the deadline, a few teams opted for no activity during the January transfer window. Northeast United FC, Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, Odisha FC, Mohammedan SC, Punjab FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant did not complete any transfer business in this period, backing the groups already at their disposal.

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.