Top 10 most high-profile signings in the ISL of all-time

While a few of these players managed to meet the expectations, others failed to do so.

Since it’s inception in 2014, the Indian Super League (ISL) have been the host of many prominent names in football. The ISL have encouraged clubs to sign a marquee player to gain popularity over the seasons. While it was a standard practice in the first few campaigns, ISL clubs have since changed their policies in case of recruiting high-profile signings.

A number of clubs paid big money to bring players who won the FIFA World Cup, featured in the UEFA Champions League and played for Europe’s biggest clubs in the earlier seasons. As a result, some prominent and household names in football had featured in the league and attracted interest throughout the country to make the Indian Super League more popular.

Here are the top 10 most high-profile signings in the history of the ISL.

10. Marco Materazzi

The controversial Italian defender was roped in by Chennaiyin FC in their debut Indian Super League season. Materazzi soon became a pivotal part of the team, not only influencing on the pitch but off it as well. Materazzi’s strong defending helped Chennaiyin FC carve out some good results towards the start of the 2014 season. However, he suffered an injury and made his next appearance in the ISL playoffs against Kerala Blasters.

The Italian registered an assist in the second leg of the playoffs, but the Blasters went forward on away goals. Materazzi was then integrated into a coaching role from the next season in the Indian Super League. He even helped them win the 2015 edition as player-manager, proving to be a very smart signing for the Marina Machans.

9. Freddie Ljungberg

Mumbai City FC surprised many in 2014 after they brought former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg back from retirement. The Swedish winger had retired in 2012 before the Islanders managed to sway him to come out of retirement. However, the return was not as fructuous as expected. Ljungberg missed out on a number of their opening games due to injury.

After he recuperated from his injury, Ljungberg returned to feature in four league games, in which he could not score a goal – before suffering another knock. Despite being one of the most high-profile signings in the ISL of all-time, lack of match-fitness ultimately cost him. Ljungberg decided to leave after that injury, bringing his Indian Super League journey to a bitter end.

8. Asamoah Gyan

NorthEast United FC surprised many with the signing of Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan. Even before his signing, the striker was well known in India, courtesy of his heroics in the 2010 FIFA World Cup – where he helped Ghana to reach the quarterfinals.

Gyan looked well suited for the Indian Super League and used his physicality and clinical striker’s instinct to trouble teams. He helped the Highlanders to make a strong start in the 2019/20 season, scoring four goals and registering an assist in eight appearances. However, he suffered a rather nasty injury afterwards, which brought his campaign to an abrupt halt.

7. Alessandro Nesta

In their bid to build the best defensive side, Chennaiyin FC also roped in former AC Milan star Alessandro Nesta in their debut campaign. Having won the Champions League, Serie A and FIFA World Cup in his career, the Italian came with huge experience.

However, his questionable fitness level at that time did not make the job easy for the Italian. Nesta made only four appearances for Chennaiyin FC in the 2014 campaign. He could not help them defeat Kerala Blasters in the playoffs either, ending up having an uneventful time at the ISL.

6. Florent Malouda

Florent Malouda was one of the first high-profile signings that actually worked wonders in the Indian Super League. In 2015, he was signed by Delhi Dynamos and played under Roberto Carlos. The Frenchman excelled in their free-flowing system, playing an influential role in two campaigns.

In the first season, he scored three goals and registered as many assists in 14 appearances – helping them reach the playoffs. In his second season, he assisted eight goals and led them to the playoffs as club captain. The veteran forward proved his class in the ISL with some excellent performances and left with an impressive record.

5. Robert Pires

FC Goa surprised many in the inaugural ISL season as they brought one of the most high-profile signings in the history of the league, former Arsenal superstar Robert Pires. The Frenchman had not played for a few years before joining the Gaurs and could not become his usual self at the league.

In his only season in the ISL, he received a two-game ban for abusing Atletico de Kolkata manager Antonio Habas. Pires scored only one goal in eight appearances, failing to recreate his performance from his time at Arsenal. He left at the end of the season and announced his retirement from football following a dismal campaign.

4. Dimitar Berbatov

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov surprised many by deciding to join Kerala Blasters in the 2017/18 campaign. The Blasters had put together a strong team to finally win the ISL title. However, things soon went sour for the Bulgarian, who was played out of position, often operating in a midfield role because of his lack of fitness.

In eight games, he scored one goal and managed six shots on target. Berbatov was frustrated with then-head coach David James’ playing style and lashed out at him after leaving. He accused the Englishman of playing a very backdated system of playing long balls to the striker and try to score from there after leaving India.

3. Roberto Carlos

In 2015, Delhi Dynamos went all out in search for the title and brought in Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos. One of the most high-profile signings in the ISL of all time, he joined in a player-manager role – mostly because he was not healthy enough to play many games.

Carlos only made three appearances for the team, but did an impressive job as the coach. He helped them reach the Indian Super League playoffs for the first time in their history. However, after losing the playoffs against FC Goa, Carlos left the club and opted against returning for the next season.

2. Diego Forlan

Mumbai City FC managed a real coup in the 2016 ISL campaign when they announced the signing of Uruguayan legend Diego Forlan. The former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid star – who won the Golden Boot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup – came with a wealth of experience. It did not take much time for Forlan to adjust himself to his new surroundings as he inspired the Islanders with his finishing and creativity.

Forlan lit up the ISL with brilliant goals – even scoring a hattrick against Kerala Blasters. The Uruguayan helped them to advance to the playoffs where they faced Atletico de Kolkata. Forlan registered two assists in the second leg before being shown a red card as Mumbai City lost the game.

1. Alessandro Del Piero

In the first-ever Indian Super League season, Delhi Dynamos made a statement of intent by signing Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero. It was one meant to attract more fans to their games – something that did happen. However, Del Piero was beyond his prime years at the time of signing for the club. He struggled to match the intensity of the games, often failing to make any impact.

The Italian World Cup winner only managed to register one goal and one assist in 13 appearances . Although that goal was a memorable free-kick in his side's final game against Chennaiyin FC, Del Piero’s stint did not turn out to be fruitful as he failed to help Delhi clinch a playoffs spot.

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