ISL: Spanish playmaker Javi Hernandez leaves Bengaluru FC

Javi Hernandez spent two seasons with the Blues.

Indian Super League outfit Bengaluru FC have announced the departure of their Spanish midfielder Javi Hernandez. The 34-year-old leaves the club after spending two seasons with them. He joined the club in June 2022 after stints with ATK, ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC, making an impact everywhere he went in Indian football.

Javi Hernandez arrived on the Indian shores in 2019 to sign for ATK and entertained the spectators with his excellent attacking gameplay and playmaking capabilities. Bengaluru FC decided to sign him to bolster their chances of winning a trophy. The midfielder helped the Blues win the 2022 Durand Cup and reach the final of the 2022-23 Indian Super League playoffs.

Javi Hernandez’s departure will certainly have an impact but Bengaluru FC have already brought in an able replacement for the upcoming season – Alberto Noguera. Having said that, it will be interesting to see if he stays in India and signs for another club or moves elsewhere. Plenty of Indian clubs would grab the opportunity to recruit him in their squads.

The midfield maestro

Javi Hernandez has a brilliant record in the Indian Super League and other domestic cups since his arrival in India. The 34-year-old played 53 games for Bengaluru FC across all competitions, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists. Prior to joining the Blues, he had featured 17 times for ATK Mohun Bagan (one goal and one assist), 19 times for Odisha FC (six goals and six assists) and 20 times for ATK (two goals and five assists).

During the 2023-24 season, the Spaniard made 21 appearances for Bengaluru FC and scored five goals, including an acrobatic bicycle-kick goal against East Bengal FC and a superb half-volley goal against Kerala Blasters FC.

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