A look at Odisha FC's foreign contingent for ISL 2026-27

The Juggernauts finished 11th in the 2025-26 ISL season.

Odisha FC, who were one of the clubs that almost succumbed to the financial pressure caused by the delayed ISL start and the uncertainty surrounding the league, are now back for the 2026-27 ISL season with a lot more clarity over their future.

This time last year, the club had even shut down first-team operations and opted out of the 2025-26 AIFF Super Cup & the 2025 Durand Cup amid the uncertainty.

Unlike last season, when Odisha FC’s players were signed just a few days before the start of the ISL season, this time around, Joy Gabriel and T.G. Purushothaman have completed their squad rebuild well within the summer transfer window. The first major decision made by the club was to retain head coach T.G. Purushothaman to lead the Juggernauts for another season.

Multiple new domestic signings have been made this summer, while the contracts of key players such as Puitea, VP Suhair, Rahim Ali and Tejas Krishna have been extended for the upcoming season, with some of them tied down beyond the current campaign.

Key domestic additions include the likes of Hrithik Tiwari, Nihal Sudeesh, Qatari-born Aashir Salim and the return of one of Kalinga’s finest, Nandhakumar Sekar.

⚫️🟣 Odisha FC confirm four contract extensions ⚫️🟣

ℹ️ The club can confirm that V.P. Suhair, Puitea, Edwin and Tejas have all signed new deals with the club ✍🏻🔒

(1/2) pic.twitter.com/fZqiHJvbEs

— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) September 14, 2026

Another major change from last season’s squad is Odisha’s decision to bring in foreign players after playing the previous campaign with just Carlos Delgado.

While the Spanish captain, who stood by the Juggernauts through their difficult period, has left the club to join Manolo Marquez at Mumbai City FC, Odisha have signed five new foreign players for the upcoming season, highlighting their ambition to compete after a difficult campaign last year.

Let’s analyze the profiles of these foreign players individually and assess how they could impact Odisha FC’s chances in the upcoming ISL season.

Odisha FC’s Foreign Players 2026-27

Stephen Eze

One of the smartest moves by the club in the transfer window was to make use of Jamshedpur FC’s uncertainty surrounding their ISL future, as they went ahead and snatched Stephen Eze from the Red Miners. Eze has been one of the best, if not the best, defenders in the league ever since his arrival.

A solid physical presence at the back, Eze is almost flawless when it comes to winning duels, making last-ditch tackles and pulling off crucial blocks. He is also a towering presence in the opposition box, with his aerial threat from set-pieces already resulting in 9 goals in over 54 odd ISL games he has played so far.

Overall, he is a solid defensive addition who could go on to make an even bigger impact than Carlos Delgado, with disciplinary issues being the only major concern.

• Age: 32
• Country of Birth: Nigeria
• Position: CB
• Preferred Foot: Right
• Played for: Jamshedpur FC, Queen’s Park FC

Giorgi Aburjania

A history-maker even before making his first appearance for the club, Aburjania is the first-ever Georgian player in history to sign for an ISL club. The midfielder has featured in leagues such as the Liga Portugal, Spanish Second Division, Eredivisie and the Copa Del Rey, with his performances in the Spanish second tier earning him a move to Sevilla’s reserves ahead of the 2016-17 season.

Aburjania is a defensive midfielder known for his ability to dictate the tempo of the game from a deeper midfield role. He possesses good vision and distribution, while being an ambidextrous player who is comfortable using both feet. As someone who lacks raw pace, he relies heavily on his positional discipline to break up plays and win back possession.

With 39 appearances for the Georgian national team between 2016 and 2023, and having featured in UEFA Conference League qualifiers, Aburjania is an exciting signing to look out for, not just for Odisha fans but for ISL fans in general. Whether or not the 31-year-old is a potential Jahouh replacement, only time will tell.

• Age: 31
• Country of Birth: Georgia
• Position: DM/CM/CAM
• Preferred Foot: Left/Right
• Played for: Real Oviedo, FC Twente, Sevilla FC

Also Read: A look at Mumbai City FC’s foreign contingent for ISL 2026-27

Manu Molina

Manu Molina remains the biggest name that Odisha FC have pulled off ahead of the upcoming season, with the Spanish midfielder reportedly rejecting offers from his boyhood club, Real Club Recreativo de Huelva, which did everything it could to bring the boy back home.

Molina has played over 450 games across the top three tiers of Spanish football, with most of his appearances coming in the second and third tiers. His LaLiga debut came against Spanish giants Real Madrid.

A central midfielder by trade, Molina can slot in as an attacking midfielder, which could be the role he is like to take up with the Juggernauts. He excels with his deliveries from dead-ball situations, while his technical ability on the ball remains his biggest attribute.

While his numbers in terms of goals and assists might be a bit underwhelming, he is often the player who starts attacks that eventually turn into goals.

Odisha’s attacking prowess could be heavily dependent on Molina’s ability to create chances through the middle and from set-pieces.

• Age: 34
• Country of Birth: Spain
• Position: CM/CAM
• Preferred Foot: Right
• Played for: RCD Espanyol, Valencia B, Malaga

Mahmoud Eid

A right winger by trade, Mahmoud Eid possesses the tactical versatility to slot in anywhere across the front three. Born in Sweden and having come through Swedish academies, he chose to represent Palestine due to his Palestinian descent and has represented the national team more than 20 times in the past.

Mahmoud Eid is a left-footed inverted right winger who has been consistent with his numbers in the final third, averaging a goal contribution almost every two games throughout his career. During his three years with Bangkok United, he registered 59 goal contributions. Last season, he featured in the AFC Champions League Two, registering two assists in four starts.

The 33-year-old can at times be overly reliant on his left foot, but he possesses exceptional control in tight spaces and has the movement to ease past defenders. He can also be a threat on quick transitions, although his pace has reduced slightly with age. At 6’1″, his physical frame also allows him to shrug off defenders and win duels.

The Palestinian’s profile makes him one of the first names on the team sheet and could potentially see him turn into an explosive winger who becomes Odisha’s main goalscoring outlet.

• Age: 33
• Country of Birth: Sweden
• Position: RW/LW/CF
• Preferred Foot: Left
• Played for: Bangkok United F.C, Kalmar FF

Everton Nascimento

A Brazilian striker leading Odisha’s attack? It takes us back to the days when Diego Mauricio used to score goals for fun at the Kalinga Stadium. The Juggernauts have had a decent success rate with Brazilian strikers, with Jonathas enjoying a decent spell as well, while Dorielton had an impactful stint.

Everton is coming off the back of an excellent season in the Indonesian second tier, where he helped his side achieve promotion to the top tier, scoring 14 goals and registering three assists in 24 games. He is a traditional number nine with excellent goalscoring instincts inside the box, thanks to his physical and aerial prowess.

While Odisha have signed him as the main and only striker for the upcoming season despite playing their previous campaign with Rahim Ali as striker, Everton’s lack of pace and pressing intensity are areas of concern for the Juggernauts.

• Age: 33
• Country of Birth: Brazil
• Position: CF/LW
• Preferred Foot: Right
• Played for: Bali United, Garudayaksa FC

Note: This article will be updated once Odisha FC announce their complete roster for 2026-27 season….!

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