ISL 2025-26: East Bengal FC complete squad for upcoming season ft. Anwar Ali & Youssef Ezzejjari

East Bengal gets ready to change their fortune in the upcoming season of ISL 2025-26.

East Bengal FC will kick off their journey in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 at their home against Northeast United FC, on February 16, 2026. The ISL this year is set to kick off on 14 February, marking the return of top-flight football amid a period of transition for the competition. This season’s build-up has been influenced by financial prudence and concern regarding the league’s near survival.

Following the conclusion of the previous season, East Bengal FC has been quite active in the transfer market. With their best ISL finish of ninth place, the Kolkata club has failed to earn a position in the playoffs. With local rivals Mohun Bagan consistently picking up titles, the Red and Gold Brigade are eager to turn things around this time.

With no clarity regarding the signing of the sixth foreigner, East Bengal FC have decided to go with five foreigners for a 13-game season also to maintain their budget for a delayed league this year.

East Bengal and Oscar Bruzon have established a formidable 28-man roster for the next season despite a few significant departures. Let’s take a deeper look at the roster and the new players who have joined this season.

Goalkeepers:

East Bengal have kept their faith on Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Debjit Majumder for the goalkeeping position in the upcoming season of the ISL, with Gill who is anticipated to be the team’s first-choice keeper for the season.

The Red and Gold Brigade also have other options in this position namely Gourab Shaw from their reserve team and Aaryan Saroha who have joined East Bengal this year.

Defenders:

East Bengal FC’s backline under Oscar Bruzon looks quite formidable, and they have kept a significant number of their defenders from the previous season. Kevin Sibille and Jay Gupta have joined the squad this season which strengthens the defense along with the likes of Anwar Ali, Mohammad Rakip and Lalchungnunga.

Kevin Sibille, the Argentine who has joined the Red and Gold Brigade this season gelled up really well with Anwar, Rakip, Lalchungnunga, and has become one of the most dependable pillars of their defence unit as well. Jay Gupta, with proven ISL experience have also joined the squad this year from FC Goa and has already shown his capabilities in the backline in the recently concluded Super Cup and IFA Shield tournament last year. The added advantage of all these defenders is that they are proven goal scorers, along with their defensive qualities.

Oscar Bruzon have also some backup options this season, which were missing during the last season. Martand Raina, who has joined the team this season from the I-League side Rajasthan United FC, can serve as a backup option in the defense line as well.

Provat Lakra is also another option for the Red and Gold Brigade in the backline, who have experience of playing in the ISL for East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC.

A veteran and a proven campaigner, Souvik Chakraborty can also be an option for Oscar Bruzon in the defence line if needed, as Souvik can play both in midfield and in the defensive position with the capability of holding the ball and can also score long rangers.

Midfielders:

Oscar Bruzon have strengthened the midfield this season keeping few players from the last season. The club have kept key contributors like Saul Crespo, who adds stability and control in midfield, and have signed Miguel Figueira bringing creativity and crucial assists.

Mohammed Rashid anchors the middle with his experience along with Souvik Chakraborty, Jeakson Singh and Naorem Mahesh Singh, who adds more depth to the midfield region.

Mahesh is one of the main anchors of the Red and Gold Brigade attack as he can shift his position quite easily and can play both as a winger and a midfielder. He has already scored some goals with individual brilliance for the Red and Gold Brigade and is also known for his creativity and crucial assists.

East Bengal also have some backup options this season namely, Ramsanga who have joined the Kolkata-based club from Real Kashmir FC on a three-year contract in July 2025, which runs until 2028. Tanmay Das, Shyamal Besra and Sayan Banerjee are some more options from the reserve team.

Forwards:

East Bengal have opted to revitalize their frontline with the signing of Spanish forward Youssef Ezzejjari ahead of the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season. The 32-year-old forward should join up with the squad before the new ISL campaign kicks off, and he is going to be bringing something new to the team as well.

The Red and Gold have already released both Hamid Ahadad and Hiroshi Ibusuki. As a result, they’ve been able to bring in a striker like Ezzejjari, a striker who has a decent amount of experience playing Asian football.

Ezzejjari is going to be joining the Red & Gold Brigade after most recently playing for Singapore side Tanjong Pagar United. He has a decent history of being a reliable goalscorer who has scored quite a few crucial goals for his teams in recent years. 

Edmund Lalrindika have also joined the squad this year from Inter Kashi FC, adding depth and bringing creativity in the forward line. East Bengal have retained David Lalhlansanga this season and after the departure of Hamid and Ibusuki, he will be one of the most important players in the forward line for Oscar Bruzon adding more depth to the attack.

Other options include the likes of Jesin TK Thonikkara, Shyamal Besra from the reserves.

Regarding the wings, Bipin Singh has joined the team this season from Mumbai City FC after spending nine seasons with the Islanders. Bipin Singh is an experienced campaigner of the league bringing creativity and crucial assists from the left wing. He is an important addition to the squad and have already justified that by scoring few goals and creating some crucial assists in the tournaments like Durand Cup, IFA Shield and Super Cup last year for the Red and Gold Brigade.

East Bengal have added Jerry Mawihmingthanga to their ranks in the January transfer window. The winger joins the club, adding depth to the attack on a short-term deal until the end of the 2025-26 season. While he is versatile, Jerry’s main position is on the right wing, where he has played the majority of his career.

East Bengal also has PV Vishnu and Nandhakumar Sekar in their ranks, and both play in a similar role. Hence, it has to be seen how Jerry will fit into this setup.

East Bengal FC’s squad for ISL 2025-26:

Goalkeepers:

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Debjit Majumder, Aaryan Saroha and Gourab Shaw.

Defenders:

Kevin Sibille, Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Mohammad Rakip, Lalchungnunga, Martand Raina and Provat Lakra.

Midfielders:

Saul Crespo Prieto, Mohammad Basim Rashid, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Miguel Figueira Damasceno, Souvik Chakraborty, Jeakson Singh, Ramsanga, Tanmay Das, Shyamal Besra and Sayan Banerjee.

Forwards:

Youssef Ezzejjari, T.H. Bipin Singh, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, David Lalhlansanga, Edmund Lalrindika, Jesin TK Thonikkara and Nandhakumar Sekar.

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