ISL 2025-26: Top five foreign signings in January transfer window

ISL clubs have continued to show their trust in Spanish players.

The ISL January transfer window is usually not a very busy period as clubs generally build the majority of their squads in the summer. However, given the delayed start of the 2025-26 Indian Super League season, quite a few clubs were seen as heavily invested in adding to their squads.

There were a lot of departures and arrivals in January with respect to foreign players as clubs had to reconsider their budgets for the shortened season. Now that the transfer window is over, here are the top five signings that the ISL clubs made in January:

Alberto Noguera (Signed by Chennaiyin FC)

Alberto Noguera was signed by Chennaiyin FC in the January transfer window. The Spaniard has been part of the Indian Super League since 2020 and has represented FC Goa, Mumbai City, and Bengaluru FC in this time. Now 36-years-old, Noguera played in the Spanish fourth division with Rayo Majadahonda in the first half of the 2025-26 season, making seven appearances.

Having won the ISL Shield, ISL Cup, and the Durand Cup, Noguera is no stranger to trophies and his experience is something that will definitely be a boost to Chennaiyin, who have been underperforming in recent seasons.

Victor Bertomeu (Signed by Kerala Blasters)

Having lost Jesus Jimenez due to the uncertainty surrounding the league, Kerala Blasters have signed Victor Bertomeu to lead their attack. The 33-year-old Spanish striker joins the club from Italian Serie D side SSD Ischia Calcio, where he made seven appearances.

This would be Victor’s first stint in India, as the Spaniard has played the majority of his career in his home country. However, the striker does have expereince of playing in Asia as he has represented Indonesian club Gresik United and Hong Kong Premier League’s Eastern SC – with whom he won two trophies in the 2024-25 season.

Youssef Ezzejari (Signed by East Bengal)

Spanish striker Youssef Ezzejari joined East Bengal in January, making a move from Singapore’s Tanjong Pagar. The 32-year-old has been playing in Asia since 2021 and has represented multiple clubs in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia before joining Tanjong Pagar in the 2025 summer transfer window.

With the Singaporean club, Youssef has had a decent showing, having scored 12 goals and assisted his teammates twice in 13 games. The striker has been consistently scoring throughout his time in Asia and will certainly add to the attacking threat of Oscar Bruzon’s East Bengal as they look to script history in the ISL this season.

Matija Babovic (Signed by Sporting Club Delhi)

Matija Babovic made the move from Inter Kashi to Sporting Club Delhi in January, adding to the club’s attacking threat. The Serbian fits the mould of a classic centre-forward. Across his European career, he proved reliable in key moments, scoring 34 goals from 116 senior appearances.

His Indian stint began strongly with Gokulam Kerala FC in 2023–24, before brief spells at Dempo SC and Inter Kashi. During the 2024–25 season with Inter Kashi, he made 21 appearances across competitions, scoring five goals and helping the side win the I-League title.

Alfred Planas (Signed by Inter Kashi)

Another Spaniard that made a move in January was Alfred Planas, who moved from Gokulam Kerala to join ISL newcomers Inter Kashi. The 29-year-old can play on the left-wing and as a centreforward, giving flexibility and options to Antio Habas’ tactics and formation.

Alfred Planas has played the majority of his career in Spain’s lower divisions with his best coming between 2018 and 2019 as he represented Reus and Elche in the Spanish second division. The forward has also played for Valencia’s B team – with whom he made 21 appearances.

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.