ISL 2019-20: Five overseas players to look out for next season

The Indian Super League is once again set to see an influx of new foreign stars as it seeks to take the next stride in its growth.

As the 2019-20 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) inches closer and closer, most of the clubs  are busy digging deep in the transfer market to strengthen their squads. While sides like ATK and Delhi Dynamos have been highly active in the transfer market, other clubs have also made some interesting addition to their squads for the next season, strengthening the core to the best of their abilities.

There have been a lot of arrivals and departures if foreign players are concerned, lets have a look at five overseas players who look the most encouraging till now.

5. Manuel Onwu - Bengaluru FC

Onwu became the 13th Spaniard to join the Blues in their history

Bengaluru FC has a lot of influence of Spanish players owing to the fact that their head coach come with the same nationality. Manuel Onwu, who played for UCAM Murcia CF, who contest in the second tier of Spanish football league system, became the 13th Spanish player to join The Blues.

Onwu has played three seasons in the Spanish top flight and another one in the Segunda Division for Osasuna, Manuel had a brief spell in Georgia with FC Dinamo Tbilisi where he was part of the side that won the 2015 Georgian Cup.

The Spaniard was also the top scorer or UCAM Murcia last season with 11 goals scored. Onwu has big shoes to fill in this season, who is bought as a direct replacement for Miku who played a pivotal role in Bengaluru FC’s successful season last term.

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4. Carl McHugh - ATK

Carl McHugh has everything in his arsenal to become one of the best defenders in the ISL next season

ATK signed former Motherwell FC player Carl McHugh as their first new foreign recruit for the upcoming season. The 26-year-old has agreed to a two-year deal which will keep him at the club till 2021.

The Irishman comes with the experience of having played in England with Reading's youth setups, Plymouth Argyle in League Two and Bradford City in League One. McHugh was part of the Bradford setup which defied all odds to reach the League Cup final back in 2012-13, though they ended up losing the match 5-0, it was absolutely massive for a club from second tier of English football to reach the final of a prestigious cup competition.

En route to the finals they defeated Arsenal on penalties in fifth round and Aston Villa 3-4 on aggregate, McHugh played a key part in their run to the final. His versatility will be a big advantage for ATK, his primary position being Center back, he has played as a left back and defensive midfielder occasionally throughout his career.

3. Diawandou Diagne - Delhi Dynamos

Diagne is arguably one of the most high profile signing in the ISL this summer

Delhi Dynamos FC have completed the signing of Senegalese international Diawandou Diagne from Belgian club KAS Eupen. A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. He was on the books of Blaugranas in the 2014-15 season when he made over 20 appearances for Barcelona’s B team.

Defensive Midfield being his best position, though he has operated in central midfield and attacking midfield sparingly, Having represented U-17 and U-20 teams for Senegal, he made debut for senior team in 2014 and has twp caps so far for them.

2. Roy Krishna - ATK  

Roy Krishna is being regarded as one of the best signings of the summer

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This has to be one of the best signings in the history of ATK, this also serves to be a statement of intent by ATK as they definitely want to put the demoralizing performances of last season behind them.

Roy Krishna is the captain of Fiji National team as well as the winner of A-league 2018-19 Golden boot for Wellington Phoenix with 18 goals, who contest in the top flight of Australian football league. He represented Fiji in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil and even scored in a Group C match against Mexico. The Fijian’s goal-scoring prowess will be a welcome boost for ATK, who struggled to put chances away last season.

1. Asamoah Gyan- NorthEast United

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Arguably the best foreign player to come to ISL in the summer, NorthEast United surprised the Indian football community when the Highlanders announced the signing of Asamoah Gyan. The 33-year-old has prior experience of playing in three of the top European leagues in Serie A, Ligue 1 and Premier League. With prior experience of playing for Udinese, Rennes and Sunderland, Gyan is expected to take the ISL in storm this season.

However, the highlight of the center forward's career has not been any of the leagues he has played in. The 33-year-old has represented Ghana in three FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014), scoring six goals and becoming the top African scorer in the tournament in the process. Gyan also has 51 international goals to his name.

Gyan has prior experience of playing in UAE Pro League side Al-Ain and Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG. He was top scorer in the UAE Pro League for three of his four seasons (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14) in the country, winning the league three times along with one UAE President's Cup and one Arabian Gulf Super Cup. He was also the top scorer in the AFC Champions League in 2014 and was awarded the AFC Foreign Player of the Year in the same year.