A look at Chennaiyin FC’s foreign contingent for ISL 2026-27
Madih Talal is the headline signing for Chennaiyin FC for the 2026-27 ISL season.
Chennaiyin FC are entering the 2026-27 season on the back of an utterly disappointing 2025-26 Indian Super League season, where the Marina Machans finished with just 9 points from 13 games. Due to their poor performance, the Southern club finished 13th in the league, surviving a relegation scare.
Though the two-time ISL champions had a disappointing 2025-26 season, Chennaiyin FC have retained the services of Clifford Miranda as head coach and have made several changes to their squad. The likes of Farukh Choudhary, Pritam Kotal and Mandar Rao Desai have been released by the club. To replace the players that have been released, the team have brought in several young players.
The foreign contingent for Chennaiyin FC has also seen a complete makeover, as the Marina Machans let go of all their six foreign signings from the 2025-26 season and have brought in five new players to bolster their squad.
Here are the five foreign players that will be donning the famous Chennaiyin blue in the 2026-27 ISL season.
Chennaiyin FC’s Foreign Players 2026-27
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Madih Talal
If there is one position where Chennaiyin FC have made some legendary signings over the years, it is the attacking midfield position. Elano Blumer, Bruno Pelissari, Raphael Augusto, Rafael Crivellaro, Abdenasser El Khayati, and Connor Shields are a few names that have taken the ISL by storm in CFC colours since the inception of the league in 2014.
Madih Talal comes in with proven experience in the ISL, having already registered 9 goals and 13 assists in the league over the last three seasons. The 29-year-old has already become a fan favourite, as he received a huge reception on social media when his signing was announced by Chennaiyin FC.
However, there have been a few injury concerns surrounding the Frenchman over the last two seasons. If Talal manages to keep himself fit, he will become Chennaiyin’s most crucial player as the season progresses.
- Age: 29
- Country: France
- Position: CAM/SS/CM
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Played for: Jamshedpur FC, East Bengal, Punjab FC
Ramon Tanque
Goalscoring was a major problem for Chennaiyin FC last season as they managed to score just 9 goals in 13 league games, failing to score more than one goal in any fixture. The Marina Machans have hired Ramon Tanque to solve their problems in front of goal, and this is a huge gamble.
Ramon joined them on loan from Indonesia Super League winners Persib Bandung. The 28-year-old scored 8 goals & assisted only 2 goals in 28 league appearances for his former club. However, the striker’s best was with Cambodian club Visakha FC in the 2024-25 season, for whom he scored 21 goals in 28 appearances.
- Age: 28
- Country: Brazil
- Position: CF
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Played for: Persib Bandung, Visakha FC, FC Dornbirn 1913
Also Read: A look at Bengaluru FC’s foreign contingent for ISL 2026-27
Nikola Stojanovic
Nikola Stojanovic brings with him a wealth of experience playing in the Indian football ecosystem as he has been playing within the country since 2021. The Serbian has played for Mohammedan SC, Gokulam Kerala, and Inter Kashi in the I-League before moving to the ISL with Jamshedpur FC last season.
Stojanovic became a permanent fixture in JFC’s midfield last season, playing all 13 ISL games, managing to secure 2 goals and 2 assists. Defensively, the 31-year-old also helped his team with 22 tackles and 11 interceptions in the league. Nikola’s signing will be important for Chennaiyin as he will add much needed reliability to their midfield.
- Age: 31
- Country: Serbia
- Position: CM/DM/CAM
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Played for: Jamshedpur FC, Inter Kashi, Gokulam Kerala FC
Nuno Reis
The Portuguese defender, Nuno Reis featured for Mumbai City FC in the 2025-26 ISL season, making an appearance in all 13 ISL games as his side missed out on the title by just one point.
The former Portugal youth team player brings with him the experience of playing in some of the toughest European leagues before his long stint with Melbourne City FC in the Australian League.
Chennaiyin FC desperately need a leader to marshal their defense, and Nuno Reis could be the missing piece of the defensive puzzle for the Marina Machans.
- Age: 35
- Country: Portugal
- Position: CB/RB
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Played for: Mumbai City FC, Santarem, Melbourne City FC, Mohun Bagan SG, FC Metz
Emmanuel Imanishimwe
Chennaiyin FC’s fifth signing for their 2026-27 ISL campaign would be the versatile Emmanuel Imanishimwe. The 31-year-old can play as a left-back and as a centre-back, helping Clifford Miranda to change his tactics without the concern of fitting the Rwandan in a fixed position.
Emmanuel has experience playing in Europe and Africa, and to add to this, the defender has also been called up by the Rwanda national team for the upcoming international break. Given that Emmanuel is in the prime of his career, expect him to add some much needed defensive depth to the Chennaiyin backline.
- Age: 31
- Country: Rwanda
- Position: LB/LM/CB
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Played for: AEL Limassol, AS FAR Rabat, APR FC
How many foreign players have Chennaiyin FC signed for the 2026-27 season?
Chennaiyin FC have signed five new foreign players for the 2026-27 ISL season: Madih Talal, Ramon Tanque, Nikola Stojanovic, Nuno Reis and Emmanuel Imanishimwe.
Which foreign players have ISL experience before joining Chennaiyin FC?
Madih Talal, Nikola Stojanovic and Nuno Reis have previously played in the Indian Super League before joining Chennaiyin FC for the 2026-27 season.
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