Indian Super League 2019-20: Winter Transfer Window Round-up

Almost all the clubs were pretty active in the recently concluded Winter transfer window.

The January transfer window came as an opportunity for the Indian Super League(ISL) clubs to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season and boost their chances of qualifying for the playoffs. While a few clubs invested heavily to change up their squads in the winter, others opted to solve their issues by bringing in players suited to fulfil their particular needs. A number of new foreigners have come to the league, while domestic players also moved around in look of bigger opportunities. Here is the ISL 2020 Winter transfer window round-up. [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

ATK

The Kolkata giants were swift in replacing their injured foreign players in January, with Carl McHugh and Dario Vidosic both being unavailable till the end of the season. McHugh had an injury, while Vidosic was released from his contract in January. Mandi Sosa was brought on as a replacement for the Irishman. The former Wellington Phoenix midfielder reunited with strikers Roy Krishna and David Williams, as Antonio Habas opted to sign him to bring more bite to his midfield line. Centre-back Victor Mongil was also signed as cover for the injured John Johnson. Having played at Atletico Madrid B and Europa League with Dinamo Tbilisi, he’s brought experience and versatility to bulk up ATK’s squad. The Kolkata giants also loaned goalkeeper Avilash Paul to Mohun Bagan, while Sena Ralte joined up with Real Kashmir.

Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC had a real crisis of goal-scorers in the first half of the campaign and decided to fix that as soon as the winter transfer window opened. Jamaican striker Deshorn Brown was roped in to solve their problem. The 29-year-old has the experience of playing in Major League Soccer(MLS). Brown brings a stark goal-scoring record having netted 15 goals in 30 games for USL Championship side Oklahoma City last year. The defending champions also signed former Barcelona B product Francisco Nilli. With their attack might not complimenting their defensive solidity, the Spaniard’s been brought to add creativity and fluidity to their attacking transitions. Meanwhile, the defending champions loaned Edmund Lalrindika to I-League side East Bengal and Ajay Chhetri to Hyderabad FC. Striker Manuel Onwu was also loaned to Odisha FC. [KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Chennaiyin FC

The Marina Machans didn’t see any winter activity even though they were struggling before Owen Coyle came in to restructure the system and make them contenders for a playoffs spot.

FC Goa

FC Goa’s biggest January news came with Sergio Lobera’s shocking dismissal as head coach. Perhaps their inability to sign anybody in the winter transfer window played a part in them parting ways. They did, however, sell promising youngster Linston Colaco to fellow ISL side Hyderabad FC.

Also read: Why and how FC Goa sacked Sergio Lobera

Hyderabad FC

The bottom feeders of the ISL probably were the busiest of the lots in January, trying to fix their errors by making necessary reinforcements. While they didn’t sign any foreign players, they tried boosting their Indian core with a flurry of acquisitions. Sauvik Chakrabarti was signed from Mumbai City to help fix their defensive issues. The former Mohun Bagan man brings experience and stability to their leaky defence. Liston Colaco was signed from FC Goa to prove further attacking bite, while former Churchill Brothers goalkeeper Kuzung Bhutia was also roped in as an alternative. They also roped in youngster Ajay Chhetri from Bengaluru FC and defender Dimple Bhagat to bulk up their domestic core. The ISL newcomers had to trim their squad after all the acquisitions. They loaned left-back Abhash Thapa to East Bengal and Tarif Akhand to Chennai City. Striker Robin Singh was loaned to Real Kashmir to help out their attack, while Keenan Almeida got loaned to Mumbai City and young goalkeeper Anuj Kumar to Indian Arrows till the end of the season. [KH_ADWORDS type="2" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC hit a troublesome period after star-striker Sergio Castel picked up an injury and to fill his void, they signed up Spaniard David Grande as an alternative. The 29-year-old’s enjoyed spells at Granada B and Malaga B amongst many other clubs. He scored 9 goals in 18 matches for former side Unionistas last season, prompting the swift signature from the Men of Steel to bring more firepower to their goal-scoring department.

Kerala Blasters

Despite all their injury troubles, which forced them to make acquisitions mid-way through the season, Kerala Blasters didn’t sign anybody in January. They did, however, get deals done for impressive TRAU FC defender Sandeep Singh and Hyderabad FC’s industrious midfielder Rohit Kumar, who will be available only next season. Jairo Rodrigues has also been released after picking up a season-ending injury.

Mumbai City FC

After being bought up by the infamous City Football Group, Mumbai City FC only made one prominent signing in January, bringing in defender Keenan Almeida on loan from Hyderabad FC to bolster their backline. Jorge Costa opted to stick with whatever he has as the Islanders push on for consecutive playoffs finishes this season. The Islanders did sell defender Sauvik Chakrabarti to Hyderabad FC in a noticeable outgoing in January.

Also Read: Indian international Subhasish Bose set to join ATK next season

Odisha FC

Odisha FC saw their playoffs hopes take a big dent when top-scorer Aridane Santana was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an injury. As his replacement, they brought in Manuel Onwu from Bengaluru FC on loan. The Spaniard hadn’t been able to impress for the defending champions, with injuries tarnishing his first few months. But he’s brought physicality and a clinical goal-scoring spark to try and make up as Santana’s replacement. [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News|ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

NorthEast United

Losing Asamoah Gyan to a season-ending injury came as a huge blow for Robert Jarni’s NorthEast United, who’s entire attack revolved around the Ghanaian. As measures to replace the star striker, they signed former Wolves striker Andy Keogh. The Englishman’s played in the Premier League and brings essential experience alongside him. While Keogh was signed to solve their goal-scoring crisis using his lethal instincts, the Highlanders also roped in Swedish winger Simon Lundvall. The versatile midfielder has been signed to amplify their creative genes and to supply more chances to Keogh in order to turn around their abysmal goal-scoring record in the ISL. Federico Gallego also returned to the squad after his awful injury last season, while Maximilian Barreiro, Panagiotis Triadis were both released.