ISL: Mohun Bagan part ways with Brendon Hamil, Joni Kauko & Hector Yuste

All three of the foreigners played a vital role in the Mohun Bagan squad.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant have confirmed that they have parted ways with multiple foreign players ahead of the 2024-25 season. Joni Kauko, Hector Yuste and Brendan Hamill will be leaving the club and becoming free agents once their contracts expire at the end of June.

This comes amid a flurry of changes at the club, management and playing staff. Antonio Habas was replaced as head coach and Spaniard Jose Molina will take the helm of the team going forward. Mohun Bagan are also expected to sign a couple of new foreign players to help them push strongly for all titles next season. They would want to make a special impression in the first AFC Champions League 2 edition next season too.

All the players involved were part of the Mariners’ 2023-24 ISL League Winners’ Shield win. Kauko and Yuste, in particular, played key roles in helping them win the league for the first time. The Finland midfielder has been a part of the squad since 2021, when he joined as a free agent after having last played for Danish club Esbjerg.

Kauko had quite the rollercoaster ride with the Mariners. He made a bright impression in his first season with the club, making 26 appearances and contributing 14 goals (seven goals, seven assists). But, he came up empty-handed, with Mohun Bagan losing in the ISL playoffs. Joni Kauko’s second season was marred with pain, as he only made nine appearances before an awful ACL injury forced him to miss the rest of the campaign.

About the Mohun Bagan players

After missing nearly a year of football, the Finnish midfielder returned to the Mohun Bagan Super Giant squad last season. He made 14 appearances, including 11 in the ISL (scoring one goal and providing four assists) and helped the Mariners clinch the ISL League Winners’ Shield. His final match for the club was the 2024 ISL final, which they lost to Mumbai City.

Hector Yuste was roped in by Mohun Bagan last year ahead of the 2023-24 season. He was an ever-present figure under both Juan Ferrando and Antonio Habas, marshaling the Mariners’ defensive structure. He made 36 appearances across all competitions for Mohun Bagan last season, helping them keep nine clean-sheets in the ISL.

Hamill joined the Mariners in 2022. He was a regular starter for them in the 2022-23 season, starting 18 ISL games to help his side win the ISL title. But, after Yuste’s arrival, the Australian centre-back’s role was reduced and he only started in nine ISL games.

All three players will become free agents once their contracts expire. This means they can potentially join any other ISL side or decide to play in different countries. Mohun Bagan are expected to sign new foreign players to replace these three in the months to come.

Farewell to a special trio who helped us win our first ISL Shield and create innumerable memories!💚♥️#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/NykPulexUL

— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) June 28, 2024

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