ISL 2025-26: Odisha FC complete squad for upcoming season
Odisha FC prepare for ISL comeback with a reshaped team
Despite numerous doubts about their participation in the 2025/26 ISL season, Odisha FC will compete and make their return to competitive football after participating in the 2025 Super Cup ten months ago. There have been significant changes in both the squad and management during the last ten months. Nevertheless, they have put together a team in time for the league.
The most significant change at the club is the change of head coach. Sergio Lobera has left the club to join Mohun Bagan SG, and the club has hired Kerala Blasters assistant coach TG Purushothaman to manage the team. The Indian head coach allegedly signed a short-term contract till the conclusion of the current season, with the possibility of extending for an additional year depending on results.
Odisha FC has been rather quiet throughout the transfer window. They have added a few domestic members while also losing a few significant ones. They have been hit severely in their foreign department, with just captain Carlos Delgado remaining, while five foreigners, including Hugo Boumous, Diego Mauricio, Mourtada Fall, Dorielton, and Ahmed Jahaouh, have left the club.
Despite domestic outgoings, the club managed to bring in a few crucial players, of whom most had been signed during the summer transfer window and a few on transfer deadline day. Let’s take a look at how the team has evolved with new additions and vital departures.
Goalkeepers:
Odisha FC have been able to retain the majority of its first-team goalkeepers. Club captain Amrinder Singh has been a vital member of the club for the previous two years and will stay so. With an Indian head coach in charge and fewer foreign players, Amrinder’s experience and leadership at the back will be vital.
In addition, they were able to retain Anuj Kumar, although Kamaljit Singh, who spent the second part of the previous season on loan, left the team. They also have Manas Dubey, a former Shillong Lajong goalie, as their third goalkeeper.
Defenders:
Three of their four starting defenders on the backline have left. Jerry Lalrinzuala has left the club to join FC Goa, Mourtada Fall’s contract has expired, and Amey Ranawade has departed to join Kerala Blasters/Mohun Bagan. They have also lost Narender Gahlot on a free transfer to Inter Kashi, while Ricky Meetei has returned to Bengaluru FC after his loan period expired.
Despite the departures, they were able to keep hold of Saviour Gama, Zohminghlua, Subham Bhattacharya and Tankadhar Bag. Carlos Delgado is the only international centre back in the middle of the defence. TG Purushothaman has utilised his connections to get Tejas Krishna, a former Kerala Blasters player, to offer options in the centre-back position.
They have signed Mohammedan SC right back Vanlalzuidika on a free transfer, while bright young defender Raj Kumar Sanyasi has joined from RF Young Champs. ISL champion Saurabh Bhanwala has also signed for the club from Mohun Bagan.
Midfielders:
In the middle, they will be without Sergio Lobera’s most trusted Moroccan pair. Ahmed Jahouh left the club at the end of the previous season owing to disciplinary problems. Hugo Boumous joined Odisha FC before the 2024/25 season and registered 13 G/A for the Juggernauts last year. Despite being contracted, he departed the team on loan owing to uncertainties in Indian football.
Raynier Fernandes, who had joined the club on loan, has also departed and returned to FC Goa. Likewise, Givson Singh has also left the club. They have signed former Aizawl FC midfielder K Lalrinfela from Mohammedan SC. Former East Bengal FC and Chennaiyin FC player Edwin Sydney Vanspaul is another significant addition to the Odisha midfield. His versatility gives Odisha’s limited midfield much-needed depth.
Their Indian midfield, which includes players like Rohit Kumar, Puitea, and Hitesh Sharma, is strong despite their losses. Together with Lalrinfela and Edwin, TG Purushothaman will be looking to form a compact, dynamic, solid midfield. However, filling the creative hole left by Boumous will be the most difficult challenge for the new head coach.
Forwards:
Dorielton, Roy Krishna, and Diego Mauricio, three international attackers who played for the team last year, are no longer under contract with the club. How TG Purushothaman replaces Diego Maurico, the club’s most prolific goal scorer, will be the determining factor in Odisha FC’s season.
Odisha’s longest-serving player, Jerry Mawia, also left the club last summer. Over the years, a player who has been with the team from the Delhi Dynamos days has consistently played for Odisha in the ISL. However, time has passed, and the player has left the club to join East Bengal FC.
Despite this, they have an excellent Indian attack. The likes of Isak and Rahul KP on the wings might pose a constant danger to the rival defence. For the striker role, they have Rahim Ali, who joined the club at the start of last season from Chennaiyin FC. Despite playing mostly as a right back the previous season, TG Purushothaman would be forced to deploy him as a striker due to a lack of choices.
Odisha FC has recently added a quality 19-year-old attacker, Sanathoi Singh, from RF Young Champs. Additionally, they signed VP Suhair just days before the ISL resumed to take Jerry Mawia’s position, who departed the team when his contract expired last summer. Aphaoba Singh and Kartik Hantal, two wingers, have been promoted from the reserves.
Odisha FC’s squad for ISL 2025-26:
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Anuj Kumar, Manas Dubey
Defenders: Saviour Gama, Jeremy Zohminghlua, Carlos Delgado, Subham Bhattacharya, Raj Kumar Sanyasi, Vanlalzuidika, Tankadhar Bag, Saurabh Bhanwala, Tejas Krishna
Midfielders: Narendra Naik, Thoiba Singh, Rohit Kumar, Puitea, Hitesh Sharma, Lalrinfela, Edwin Sydney Vanspaul
Forwards: Rahul KP, Rahim Ali, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Sanathoi Singh, Aphaoba Singh, Kartik Hantal, Suhair VP
Who is the head coach of Odisha FC for the 2025–26 season?
TG Purushothaman has been appointed as the new head coach following Sergio Lobera’s departure to Mohun Bagan SG. He is reportedly on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Which key foreign players have left Odisha FC?
Odisha FC have seen major foreign exits, including Hugo Boumous, Diego Mauricio, Mourtada Fall, Dorielton, and Ahmed Jahouh. Carlos Delgado is the only foreigner remaining in the squad.
Who will lead the attack after Diego Mauricio’s exit?
Rahim Ali is expected to lead the line, with support from wingers Rahul KP and Isak Vanlalruatfela. Replacing Diego Mauricio’s goal output remains the team’s biggest challenge.
How strong is Odisha FC’s midfield despite the departures?
While the club has lost creative players like Boumous and Jahouh, the Indian core of Rohit Kumar, Puitea, and Hitesh Sharma provides balance and experience, supported by new signing K Lalrinfela.
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Shyam Sundar is an Indian football fan turned writer who has been covering the sport since 2023, after following it closely since 2020. He has reported on the ISL, I-League, IWL, and Indian national team matches. A passionate football enthusiast, he holds a special place in his heart for Chennaiyin FC and Manchester United.