ISL: Bengaluru FC's top five best all-time foreign players

Juanan won three significant trophies during his five-year tenure with Bengaluru.

Bengaluru FC, since their inception in 2013, has been an absolute powerhouse of Indian football. Since then, the team has won two I-League titles(including one in their maiden season), two Federation Cup titles, one Indian Super League title, a Super Cup, and the Durand Cup trophy. Behind this legacy, some top-notch foreign players have played a crucial role in that rise.

Over the years, the club has witnessed several foreign players provide remarkable performances that have left an indelible mark on the Indian football landscape. From leading the team to multiple titles to winning the hearts of fans, these five foreign players are some of the best to ever don the Blues’ jersey.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes each of them stand out.

5. Erik Paartalu

Erik Paartalu’s physical presence and versatility made him a key player for Bengaluru FC from the moment he arrived in 2017.

The Australian defensive midfielder could win back possession, shield the defence, and also contribute to the attack with his aerial prowess. The playmaker for Bengaluru had appeared in every single one of his team’s Indian Super League games in 2020–2021, totaling 18 appearances and 1,512 minutes.

Paartalu played a major role in Bengaluru FC’s 2018-19 ISL title-winning campaign and was one of the club’s most consistent performers that season. Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, and the Juanan centre-back combination together helped Bengaluru keep 11 clean sheets in 20 games during the 2020–21 season, which is what made him one of the best foreign players who came to India and was a part of the Blues’ legacy.

4. John Johnson

John Johnson was part of the club’s squad from its early days in the I-League. The Englishman brought stability and aggression to the backline, helping Bengaluru win two I-League titles (2013-14 and 2015-16) and a Federation Cup. His ability to read the game and his fearless defending made him a fan favorite. He was one of the club’s earliest foreign icons and played a crucial part in laying its defensive foundations.

Johnson got three important goals under his belt in his first season in 2013. He was named the ‘Best Defender’ in the I-league because of his height, skills, and pedigree. Because of his lengthy tenure with the club (from 2013 till the end of the 2017/18 season), he is believed to as one of the best foreign players to have played for the Blues.

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3. Dimas Delgado

Dimas Delgado was the heart and soul of Bengaluru’s midfield during his time at the club. The Spaniard joined in 2017 and soon became the team’s chief playmaker. During his four-year stay in the Hero ISL between 2017 and 2021, Dimas was a crucial component of the Blues’ midfield, contributing to 4 goals, 14 assists, 198 tackles, 83 interceptions, and 74 clearances in 67 games.

Dimas was instrumental in Bengaluru’s ISL triumph in the 2018-19 campaign, providing key assists and stability to the team. After helping Rahul Bheke score with a corner assist in the 117th minute of the 2018–19 Indian Super League final, Dimas rose to prominence and became a favorite foreigner among the other international players.

2. Miku Fedor

Possibly one of the finest strikers ever to play in the Indian Super League, Venezuelan forward Miku Fedor was no doubt one of the best foreign players who played for the Blues. Joining Bengaluru FC in 2017, Miku brought a new flair of pace and a keen eye for goals.

The Venezuelan’s 20 goals across two ISL seasons, including several match-winners, were crucial in Bengaluru’s run to the ISL 2018 final.

Miku’s movement off the ball and ability to create space for teammates made him a nightmare for defenders. Though his time at the club was short, everyone still remembers Miku’s impact. He elevated Bengaluru’s attacking play and left a legacy as one of the most talented foreign forwards to ever grace the ISL.

1. Juanan

Juanan Gonzalez was one of the most reliable centre-backs Bengaluru FC ever had. Joining the club in 2016, the Spaniard quickly became the bedrock of the team’s defence and participated in 71 games throughout four Indian Super League seasons, accumulating 91 tackles, 433 clearances, and 89 blocks.

After helping Bengaluru FC win the 2018 Super Cup, the 2016–17 Federation Cup, and the 2018–19 Indian Super League over his five unforgettable seasons there, Juanan is a real icon for the Blues. Juanan’s most recent appearance came in 2016 when he played in the 2016 AFC Cup quarterfinal against Johor Darul Ta’zim.

Having signed in the summer of 2016 and staying until the end of the 2021–2022 season, he was the club’s longest-serving foreign player. Even after parting ways with the club, Juanan’s legacy at Bengaluru remains unmatched.

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