ISL 2025-26: Club-wise list of foreign players who left Indian Super League

Indian Super League (ISL) witnesses mass exit of foreign players

The Indian Super League (ISL) has entered a phase of regular uncertainty, and its impact is beginning to show across the squad of several ISL clubs. With questions surrounding the league’s immediate future, scheduling, and long-term stability, several foreign players have chosen to move on in search of clarity and competitive continuity elsewhere.

From experienced campaigners to key attacking figures, these departures have left noticeable gaps at multiple ISL clubs. Here is a club-wise look at the foreign players who have exited the league amid the ongoing uncertainty.

Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters FC, one of the most popular clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL) has seen a few of its foreign stars depart amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the league. From attacking threats to midfield mainstays, these exits have left a noticeable void in the squad, forcing the club to rethink its plans for the season. Here’s a look at the foreign players who have bid farewell to the Blasters.

Koldo Obieta

Kerala Blasters FC’s latest foreign departure sees striker Koldo Obieta mutually part ways with the club amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League. The decision comes as several clubs continue to deal with scheduling and operational challenges affecting the season.

With his exit confirmed, Obieta is now set to explore opportunities abroad for the remainder of the campaign. The Spanish forward leaves after a brief stint in India and will be aiming to secure a new chapter elsewhere as the season progresses.

Dusan Lagator

Kerala Blasters FC’s foreign contingent has seen another change as defender Dusan Lagator has parted ways with the club amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League. The development comes as clubs continue to navigate scheduling and operational challenges that have impacted the season.

Lagator departs after making 11 appearances for the Blasters, contributing valuable experience during his time with the side. With his exit confirmed, the Montenegrin defender is now expected to explore opportunities elsewhere as he looks ahead to the next phase of his career.

Jesus Jimenez

Spanish striker Jesus Jimenez parted ways with Kerala Blasters amid uncertainty over the start of the 2025–26 ISL season. With no clear assurances on the league’s schedule and Kerala Blasters unsure about meeting his financial demands, Jiménez decided to leave Indian football. During his time with the Blasters, he made a significant impact, scoring 11 goals. He has now joined Polish top-flight side Nieciecza FC in the Ekstraklasa, continuing his career in Europe.

Tiago Alves

Portuguese forward Tiago Alves and Kerala Blasters FC mutually agreed to part ways amid the ongoing ISL uncertainty. Seeking stability and regular playing time, Alves joined Svay Rieng in Cambodia, the Portuguese forward played 2 games for the yellow army.

Juan Rodriguez

Another player who left Kerala Blasters FC is Juan Rodriguez. Rodríguez opted to return to Spain and join Marbella FC seeking continuity and stability. The Spaniard played 3 games for the Blasters in the Super Cup, the parting was cordial, reflecting respect and professionalism from both sides.

Noah Sadaoui

Kerala Blasters FC have sent Moroccan forward Noah Sadaoui on loan amid the ongoing ISL uncertainty. The move, agreed mutually, allows Sadaoui to gain regular playing time abroad while giving the club flexibility during a challenging season.

Adrian Luna

The magical Uruguayan midfielder Adrian Luna has been sent on loan by Kerala Blasters FC amid the ongoing ISL uncertainty. The move, agreed mutually, sees Luna join Indonesian club Persik Kediri till the end of the season to gain regular playing time and stability.

Northeast United FC

Northeast United FC have also been affected by the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League, with changes to their foreign contingent over the past few weeks. Here are the foreign players who left the club amid the uncertainty around the league.

Chema Nunez

Northeast United FC announced that, the club and player Chema Nunez decided to part ways mutually. With clarity over the league’s immediate future still lacking, Nunez opted to move on in search of stability and regular competitive football. The separation was mutual, with both player and club reaching an amicable agreement.

Alaeddine Ajaraie

NorthEast United FC allowed star striker Alaeddine Ajaraie to depart on loan amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ISL. Before making the move, the Highlanders secured their long-term interests by extending Ajaraie’s contract by two years. The forward has since joined Indonesian side Persija Jakarta on loan, with both player and club mutually agreeing on the move in search of continuity and regular competitive football.

FC Goa

FC Goa have also felt the ripple effects of the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League, several foreign players bid adieu to the gaurs due to this uncertainty. Here are the foreign players who left FC Goa this season

David Timor

Spanish midfielder David Timor parted ways with FC Goa by mutual agreement and joined CF Intercity amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ISL. The experienced midfielder made 9 appearances for the Gaurs but found opportunities limited as the season remained in limbo, leading both player and club to opt for an early separation in search of clarity and stability.

Iker Guarrotxena

Spanish forward Iker Guarrotxena also parted ways with FC Goa by mutual agreement amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ISL. The attacker made some key appearances for the Gaurs, contributing with his work rate and experience in the final third. With the season lacking clarity, both player and club agreed to move on in search of stability and regular football. Iker joined the Indonesian side Persijap Jepara.

Javier Siverio

The young Spanish forward Siverio left FC Goa amid the uncertainty surrounding ISL. Siverio chose to continue his career elsewhere and has since joined Cypriot club Ethnikos Achnas, seeking continuity and regular competitive football.

Borja Herrera

Spanish midfielder Borja Herrera, who arrived in Indian in 2023, parted ways with FC Goa by mutual agreement amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ISL. After a brief stint with the Gaurs, Herrera has now joined Indonesian side Persijap Jepara, seeking regular playing time and stability as he continues his career in Southeast Asia.

Mumbai City FC

Mumbai City FC have also had to navigate changes within their foreign contingent as uncertainty continues to loom over the Indian Super League, here are the foreigners who left the club amid the current scenario.

Tiri

Spanish footballer Tiri parted ways with Mumbai City FC by mutual agreement amid the ongoing uncertainty over the Indian Super League. After a distinguished stint in India’s topflight, the veteran defender joined the Indonesian side Persijap Jepara. Tiri played 144 games in ISL, making him one of the most distinguished figures in Indian football.

Jon Toral

Spanish midfielder Jon Toral parted ways with Mumbai City FC by mutual consent amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ISL. A product of the Arsenal and Barcelona youth systems, Toral has now joined Indonesian Super League side Persik Kediri, aiming to find regular minutes and stability while continuing his professional journey abroad. Toral played 21 games for Mumbai City FC across competitions and scored 1 goal for them.

Bengaluru FC

With the league’s schedule and future still unclear, the Blues have made pragmatic decisions regarding their overseas players. Bengaluru FC were hit hard by the uncertainty surrounding the ISL, even suspending first team operations in August 2025 and pausing salaries. Here’s a look at the foreign players who have departed Bengaluru FC.

Edgar Mendez

The 35-year-old Spanish attacker Edgar Mendez enjoyed a strong 2025–26 season with Bengaluru FC, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists. However, the uncertainty surrounding the league and the club’s operations forced him to leave ahead of schedule. Mendes moved to Thai League side PT Prachuap FC in late August 2025 and has since thrived in Thailand.

Salaheddine Bahi

Salaheddine Bahi mutually parted ways with Bengaluru FC, becoming the second foreigner from the club to exit the Indian Super League (ISL) amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding football in the country. The Moroccan centre-back’s departure comes shortly after his arrival, bringing an early end to what was expected to be a fresh chapter in his career with the Blues.

Bahi featured only twice for Bengaluru FC, both appearances coming in the Super Cup, and was yet to make his Indian Super League debut. With the separation now confirmed, the 31-year-old defender finds himself a free agent and will be exploring his next move as he looks to get his career back on track.

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC underwent a significant squad overhaul following the 2024–25 season, with a mass exodus of players as the club looked to trim down its roster and adjust to finances amid the uncertainty around the league. Let us look at the foreign players who left Jamshedpur FC

Javi Hernandez

Javier Hernandez left Jamshedpur FC after the 2024–25 season, ending a memorable stint with the Men of Steel. The Spanish forward had been pivotal under Khalid Jamil, scoring 9 goals in 26 games and helping the team reach the ISL semi-finals.

Hernandez had previously enjoyed success in India, winning the 2019–20 ISL title with ATK and featuring for Odisha FC and Bengaluru FC before joining Jamshedpur. Hernandez has returned to Spain, where he now plays for Alaca FC.

East Bengal FC

East Bengal FC becomes the most recent club in the league to let go of their foreign player. While the club has never been impactful in ISL, they were trying to build a strong squad for the latest season to compete in the league and win trophies. The list of foreign players who left East Bengal FC are

Hamid Ahadad

Hamid Ahadad mutually parted ways with East Bengal FC and is now a free agent, bringing an end to his short spell with the Kolkata-based club. His departure comes amid the broader uncertainty surrounding football in the country, which has seen several foreign players reassess their futures.

During his time with East Bengal, the Moroccan forward made 7 appearances across competitions and found the back of the net twice. While his stint was relatively brief, Ahadad contributed when called upon, and he will now look ahead to the next chapter of his career as he explores opportunities elsewhere.

Hiroshi Ibusuki

Hiroshi Ibusuki has parted ways with East Bengal FC by mutual consent, with uncertainty surrounding the ISL and lack of clarity regarding the ongoing situation in Indian football. The Japanese has now joined A-league side Western Sydney in Australia.

Ibusuki had a short stint with East Bengal FC and played only 5 games for them and scored 1 goal. The Japanese will now try to revive and rebuild his footballing career in the A-League

Odisha FC

Odisha FC is another club who suffered very badly due to the current scenario surrounding Indian Football. They were the first ISL club to suspend their on field operations due to issues around finance and management. They became another club whose foreign players left to play in other leagues. The players who left Odisha FC are:

Hugo Boumous

The ISL regular Hugo Boumous became one of the latest players who exited Indian football. The Midfield Magician has been loaned out to the Malaysian club Selangor FC till the end of the season in search of game time and match fitness.

Hugo has played for several Indian clubs, including Mumbai City FC, FC Goa and Mohun Bagan. The midfielder has 110 games to his name in ISL, where he scored 34 goals and assisted 42 times, making his G/A highly productive with 76.

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