Punjab FC’s all transfers completed so far in the 2024-2025 summer window

The Shers have lost a few stars but are hoping to build on their debut season’s success.

Punjab FC managed a decent 8th-placed finish in their first campaign at the ISL 2023-24. In doing so they finished ahead of heavyweights East Bengal and Bengaluru FC.

However, they decided to shake things up with their I-League-winning coach, Staikos Vergetis, leaving the side. A huge foreign contingent also departed but the club appointed Panagiotis Dilmperis as their head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Despite his unforeseen addition, Punjab FC’s club director Nikolaos Topoliatis has an eye for unearthing seemingly unassuming talent in this department. He has proven it earlier with Vergetis and hence Dilmperis should not be written off easily.

Now let us have a look at all transfers completed by Punjab FC so far in the 2024-2025 summer window: 

Incomings

Filip Mrzljak 

Former Croatian youth national team player and NK Lokomotiva Zagreb midfielder Filip Mrzljak was tied down to a contract at the club this season. The defensive midfielder boasts sizeable experience playing in the UEFA Europa League. Mrzljak is also a unique defensive screen who is a serial ball winner with 1.89 interceptions per 90 in the prva HNL(Croatian Football League) last season, putting him in the 99th percentile.

The Croat also had a decent passing rate completion of 66% and ranked in the 75th (1.56 per 90)and 72nd percentile (0.41 per 90) for tackles and blocked shots categories respectively. Mrzljak has already notched an assist, setting up Luka Majcen for his second goal in Punjab FC’s opening fixture against CISF Protectors in the Durand Cup.

Ezequiel Vidal

The Punjab FC management had a task at hand to find a creative replacement for the Shers’ departing creator-in-chief last season, Madih Talal. Once again, they have put in a tough shift and stumbled across a hidden gem in Argentine architect, Ezequiel Vidal who is, like Talal, an out-and-out attack-minded player who can be fielded across a variety of positions.

Essentially operating as a mezzala, Vidal already scored as he debuted for Punjab in their Durand Cup quarter-final loss against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Vidal scored once in normal time to give his side the lead and then went on to score once again from the spot, but Punjab eventually lost 3-4 in the shootout, all thanks to Vishal Kaith’s heroics. If he can consistently perform, he will be one to watch in the ISL this season.

Mushaga Bakenga

Punjab’s new burly 31-year-old striker Mushaga Bakenga has been a class player in his native country’s top-flight league, Eliteserien. The natural centre-forward has scored a whopping 109 goals across 362 appearances in his career including eight goals and four assists in the previous season.

Bakenga also plied his trade with Club Brugge in Belgium and was at one point linked to giants Manchester City and Bayern Munich because of his prolific goalscoring form.   

Ivan Novoselec

No-nonsense defensive sweeper Ivan Novoselec was recruited to lead the Shers in keeping a tight vigil on attackers. The Croatian centre-half specializes in clearing the ball out of danger with high numbers of clearances (5.17 per 90 and ranking in the 98th percentile) and interceptions (2.17 per 90 and ranking in the 94th percentile). He is also very tough to beat as he was only dribbled past only once last season. 

Vinit Rai

The former Odisha FC midfielder joined Punjab after he failed to impress with Mumbai City FC. With the Shers, the set-piece specialist has hit the ground running, already scoring from a spot-kick in their 3-0 win against CISF Protectors.  

Nihal Sudeesh

Former Kerala Blasters promising right-winger Nihal Sudeesh was limited to only 13 appearances over two years for the Tuskers. Nihal moved to Punjab FC to sharpen his instincts and is playing for the Shers in the Durand Cup.

Ninthoi Meetei

At only 23, Ninthoi has 69 appearances in the bag for NorthEast United and Chennaiyin FC. The Indian Arrows graduate will compete for a starter berth on Punjab’s right wing alongside Nihal.

Princeton Rebello

Failing to live up to the prospect he was touted to become, Rebello has moved to Punjab in hopes of a turnaround to finally kickstart his career.

Muheet Shabir

While it will be hard to dethrone either Nepali captain Kiran Chemjong or Ravi Kumar, Muheet Shabir will play an understudy to both and polish his shot-stopping arsenal.

Outgoings  

Madih Talal

The Shers midfielder ranked first for assists with 10 contributions last season. However, East Bengal came calling and the French midfielder decided to join their ranks. While his creativity will be missed, the six goals he scored could somewhat be made up for by Mushaga. 

Juan Mera

The second striker was part of the huge exodus of players whose contracts ran out at the club. Juan Mera scored for Punjab FC twice and assisted two goals last season but the side decided to let him leave.

Wilmar Jordan

Chenniayin FC managed to prize away the Shers’ joint-top scorer with Luka Majcen last season in the ISL. Former NEUFC striker, Wilmar Jordan was also on the scoreboard for Punjab in the Super Cup but will don the Marina Machans’ jersey in ISL 2024-25.   

Dimitrios Chatziisaias

Although the Greek defender made an insane 101 clearances and 103 recoveries while helping Punjab keep five clean sheets last season, the Shers’ Indian contingent outperformed him. With Novoselec coming in, the club decided to not renew Chatziisaias’ contract. 

Prasanth K

The former Tuskers striker has not succeeded at impressing in the ISL and has moved to Inter Kashi for a chance in the I-League.

Mohammed Salah 

Salah was recruited by Bengaluru FC after a decent season with Punjab and was allowed to leave since he wouldn’t be guaranteed a starter spot in all games this season.

Daniel Lalhlimpuia 

Last scoring in Punjab FC’s title-winning campaign back in the I-League, Daniel Lalhlimpuia was sold to Mumbai City FC after being categorised as excess to the outfit’s requirements.

Isaac Vanmalsawma

The bright attacking midfielder’s stock fell steeply after moving to the club following a good season with Odisha FC. Isaac is currently a free agent after he failed to break through to the starting eleven with Punjab FC.

Bidyashagar Singh

I-League 2020-21 Golden Boot winner Bidyashagar Singh is desperate to move onto the scoresheet once again and has moved back to the I-League with Inter Kashi after being unable to imitate his clinicality in the ISL.

Deepak Devrani

31-year-old Devrani joined Bidyashagar at Inter Kashi as he wouldn’t be starting at Punjab ahead of Nikhil Prabhu next season.

Krishnananda Singh

Experienced winger Krishnananda made 11 appearances for the Shers last season registering one goal and an assist but was not included in the roster for this campaign.

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