EXCLUSIVE: ISL side Mohun Bagan to sign Alex Saji from Sporting Club Delhi

The 26-year-old defender becomes the latest addition to the Mariners’ squad ahead of the 2026-27 ISL season

Mohun Bagan SG have continued their busy summer by agreeing the transfer of Sporting Club Delhi captain Alex Saji, Khel Now can exclusively reveal.

Khel Now understands that Alex Saji has agreed a three-year contract with the Mariners, with Mohun Bagan paying an undisclosed transfer fee to Sporting Club Delhi after the defender entered the final year of the three-year contract he signed with the club. The transfer remains subject to the player successfully completing his medical.

Alex Saji arrives just days after the club completed the high-profile signing of Mumbai City FC captain Lallianzuala Chhangte, making him the second club captain to join the Mariners during the current transfer window.

Reward for consistent performances

Saji’s rise has been built on consistency across Indian football over the last few seasons. The defender came through the Kerala Blasters youth setup before progressing to Kerala Blasters B in 2018.

He joined Gokulam Kerala in 2019, initially featuring for the reserve side before earning promotion to the senior team, where he also represented the club in the AFC Cup. His performances earned him a move to Hyderabad FC in 2022 on a three-year contract.

Although he spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at NorthEast United, Saji returned to Hyderabad and established himself as one of the club’s regular starters, making 38 appearances across all competitions over the next two seasons.

Ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, Sporting Club Delhi secured his signature and later handed him the captain’s armband during the club’s debut ISL season.

Despite Delhi enduring a difficult campaign, Saji remained one of the side’s most dependable performers whenever available. He featured in seven ISL matches, playing every available minute, before adding three more appearances in the Super Cup.

Alex Saji was part of the India U-23 camp after being selected for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers squad in 2021.

Read more: How Mohun Bagan SG’s move could help Lallianzuala Chhangte

More competition in defence

The signing further strengthens Mohun Bagan’s options at the back. The Mariners already had Alberto Rodríguez and Mehtab Singh in central defence before adding experienced India international Rahul Bheke earlier this summer.

With Alex Saji now joining the squad, new head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis will have four senior centre-backs competing for places.

Khel Now also understands that Mehtab Singh could be allowed to leave if the club receive a suitable offer before the transfer window closes.

Mohun Bagan SG in the summer transfer window 2026-27 so far

Mohun Bagan have been one of the busiest clubs of the summer transfer window.

The Mariners recently appointed Greek coach Panagiotis Dilmperis as their new head coach and have since strengthened the squad with the signings of Rahul Bheke, Miguel Ferreira, Samir Zeljković, Dejan Dražić, Sayan Banerjee, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Alex Saji.

The club have also parted ways with Australian forward Dimitri Petratos.

With several key arrivals already secured, Mohun Bagan are expected to remain active in the market as they continue reshaping the squad ahead of the 2026-27 Indian Super League season.

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