Jamshedpur FC sign Madih Talal ahead of Super Cup & ISL 2025-26

The French playmaker is equally capable of scoring and creating chances!

Jamshedpur FC have bolstered their squad with the signing of French playmaker Madih Talal, who has joined the club on a one-year deal after mutually terminating his contract with East Bengal just before the closure of the summer transfer window.

Talal will be eligible for selection in the upcoming Super Cup 2025 since his contract termination happened within the transfer window.Jamshedpur FC are currently in a rebuilding phase after head coach Khalid Jamil left midway through the Durand Cup to take over as the Indian Football Team head coach. The club has shown faith in another Indian coach, Steven Dias, who was Jamil’s long-time assistant.

Talal will slot directly into the playmaker role for Dias, where he is expected to enjoy more freedom, similar to the role that brought out his best at Punjab FC.He also becomes the second East Bengal player this year to terminate his contract and join Jamshedpur FC, following Mark Zothanpuia.

“Talal is a natural playmaker who thrives when given freedom. Steven Dias will hope to get the best out of him in a system with less pressure and more attacking balance. If he stays injury-free, he can be a big difference for JFC this season,” said a source tracking the move.

Talal’s Football Journey

Born in Paris in August 1997, Talal came through the youth ranks at Angers SCO, where his natural flair and technical ability as an attacking midfielder stood out. He later joined Amiens SC, mainly playing with their B team but also making his senior debut in the Coupe de France.

Talal also ventured abroad, spending a season with Las Rozas CF in Spain and later turning out for A.E. Kifisia in Greece. While his European journey was full of ups and downs, it helped him develop the traits of a playmaker.

His real breakthrough came in Indian Football. In August 2023, Talal joined Punjab FC, which had been newly promoted to the ISL from the I-League.

He lit up the season, playing in all 22 ISL matches and three Super Cup fixtures, scoring six goals and finishing with a league-best 10 assists, and also got two more assists in Super Cup fixtures.

His ability to dictate play made him one of the standout foreign players in the league, directly contributing to five of Punjab’s six wins in their debut season.

Impressed by his performances, Kolkata Giants East Bengal secured him on a two-year deal in June 2024. He started the season well, registering three goals and five assists across competitions, including a strong showing in the AFC Challenge League. But an untimely knee injury against Odisha FC cut short his debut season, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.

What Jamshedpur FC Can Expect?

For Steven Dias, Talal represents both creativity and experience. If he stays fit, he can transform Jamshedpur’s midfield and supply consistent chances to their forwards. Fans of the Men of Steel will hope that the Paris-born midfielder can rediscover the form he showed at Punjab FC, while enjoying a fresh start in Jharkhand.

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