Kalinga Super Cup 2025: Top five foreigner to watch out

The 2025 edition of the knockout tournament action kicks off on April 20.

The Kalinga Super Cup 2025 is kicking off in less than three days, as 16 teams will be battling it out in Bhubaneswar. With the competition set to commence on April 20 and continue until May 3, 2025, several foreign players playing for Indian clubs will be in action.

East Bengal FC are the current defending champions, having defeated Odisha FC in the 2024 Kalinga Super Cup Final. With the tournament giving some clubs a golden opportunity to capture silverware, the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 promises exciting footballing action.

5. Nikola Stojanovic (Inter Kashi)

The 30-year-old Inter Kashi central midfielder had a stand-out debut season after his summer transfer from Gokulam Kerala FC. He made 12 goal contributions in 25 games this season as he justified his selection in the starting eleven.

Coach Antonio Habas has brought out the best in the Serbian midfielder, who enjoyed his most productive season yet. Stojanovic will be a key player for Inter Kashi, who will be facing Bengaluru FC in the opening fixture of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025.

4. Thabiso Brown (Gokulam Kerala FC)

Another I-League club with exciting foreign talent is Gokulam Kerala FC, which have striker Thabiso Brown. Brown joined the Malabarians on a free transfer from China League Two A team JX Lushan during the winter transfer window.

He made nine appearances in the I-League for Gokulam Kerala FC this season while contributing 11 goals and one assist. Brown will be a key factor for Gokulam Kerala this season, as they will face FC Goa in their opening Kalinga Super Cup 2025 encounter.

ALSO READ: Three players who could be fighting for future at East Bengal FC in Kalinga Super Cup 2025

3. Iker Guarrotxena (FC Goa)

The Spaniard has been the leading man for the Gaurs this season under Manolo Marquez. While making 21 appearances this season, Guarrotxena scored seven goals and created three assists.

Since joining the club this summer on a free transfer, the Spanish striker has made an instant impact on the field. He will be a key player for FC Goa this season in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, as they will face Gokulam Kerala FC in their opening Cup encounter.

2. Edgar Mendez (Bengaluru FC)

The Blues brought in Mendez this season on a free transfer hoping to reduce Indian icon Sunil Chhetri’s burden. The decision has paid off massively for Bengaluru FC, with the Spaniard scoring nine goals and four assists in 27 games.

Mendez’s physicality and tireless work rate highlight his strengths while also having the ability to be at the right place at the right time makes him a dangerous opponent for any defender. He will be a key player for the Blues as they will be opening their Kalinga Super Cup 2025 account against I-League club Inter Kashi.

1. Alaeddine Ajaraie (NorthEast United FC)

The Moroccan striker has been the man for NorthEast United FC this season. He played a huge role in the Highlanders’ successful 2024 Durand Cup campaign while scoring three goals and two assists in five tournament games.

Following up on his excellent outing in the Durand Cup, he took his form into the 2024-25 ISL campaign scoring 23 goals and creating seven assists in 24 games. While he had an uneventful ISL playoffs campaign this season, he will be determined to put his best foot forward against Mohammedan SC in the round of 16 of Kalinga Super Cup 2025.

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