Odisha FC part ways with Marcos Tebar, four other foreign stars

Important figures from the outfit have left the club after completing their contracts.

Odisha FC have announced that they have parted ways with some of their key foreign players from last season. The players in question are striker Aridane Santana, centre-back Carlos Delgado as well as midfielders Xisco Hernandez, Marcos Tebar and Martin Perez Guedes.

The foreigners will join goalkeeper Francisco Dorronsoro in leaving the Juggernauts after completing their contract with the Indian Super League outfit. The players also replied on the club's Instagram post and expressed their gratitude after being part of a decent debut season for the newly-found outfit. 

Aridane leaves the club after registering nine goals and three assists in 14 games, while Xisco contributed five goals and two assists in 18 fixtures. Carlos Delgado was crucial in defence, whereas Marcos Tebar gave the midfield a very stable look. Guedes also contributed three goals and two assists in 18 games during his first taste of Indian football and looked very sharp on the ball, owing to his creativity and attacking intent.

With a new coach in Stuart Baxter at the helm, Odisha FC are setting up a fresh lineup of foreigners to compete in the next edition of the ISL. The cub have roped in star man Marcelinho from Hyderabad FC and also retained the services of Manuel Onwu for another year. The Spanish striker impressed in the second half of the league campaign, after securing a loan move from Bengaluru FC.

In terms of new faces, Odisha have added impressive Australian centre-back Jacob Tratt, who has represented Sydney FC, Sydney United, Wellington Phoenix, Sutherland Sharks and Perth Glory in the A-League. The 26-year-old will hope to become a fan-favourite for the Bhubaneswar-based outfit and lead the team from the back. 

ALSO READ: Official: Odisha FC sign Brazilian forward Diego Mauricio

Odisha have also signed forward Diego Mauricio from Centro Sportivo Alagoano, a club that ply their trade in Brazil’s second tier. The Brazilian will add much-needed firepower to Baxter's attacking lineup.