Hockey India League: Top five most expensive overseas signings in women’s auction

Dutch drag flicker Yibbi Jansen, bought by the Odisha Warriors, was the most expensive foreign player.

The Hockey India League 2024-25 Auction, for the women’s competition were held in New Delhi. It was a historic day, one which can potentially mark the beginning of a new era for women’s hockey in India. This will be the first instance of a league at the national level, being simultaneously held for the men and women in India, for any sport.

As is the norm in any franchisee tournament around the world for any sport, the local players were the most sought-after by the four teams. Defender Udita emerged as the most expensive player in the auctions, with the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers securing her services at a whopping price of Rs. 32 lakhs, out of the total team purse of Rs. 2 Cr.

The franchisees were also allowed to buy a maximum of eight overseas players in their squad. While the foreign stars in general might not have earned as much as the Indians did, a number of them were much sought after, considering their experience and stand-out performances in international hockey for long durations. Here are the top five overseas signings of the day:

Most expensive foreign players in Women’s Hockey India League 2024-25 Auction

5) Ambre Ballenghien – Rs 14 Lakhs (Rarh Bengal Tigers)

Belgian forward Ambre Ballennghien was purchased by the Rarh Bengal Tigers in the auction, at a price of Rs. 14 lakhs.

The 23-year-old has been an integral part of the Belgian lineup for quite some time. She was part of the squad which clinched the bronze medal in the 2021 EuroHockey Championships and the 2017 Euro Hockey Junior Championships.

Ballenghien also put on a very impressive performance at the Paris Olympics, scoring six goals in five matches, being a shining spot despite her team not qualifying for the knockouts. Overall, she has had impressive stats in her international career, scoring 45 goals in 88 matches.

4) Jocelyn Bartram – Rs 15 Lakhs (Odisha Warriors)

Odisha Warriors secured the services of Australian goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram at a price of Rs. 15 lakhs.

Australia has found a lot of success with her standing between the bars. The 31-year-old was part of the squads which won the 2022 World Cup bronze medal, 2023 Oceania Cup gold medal and the silver medals in the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

With more than 110 senior caps, the Warriors now have an experienced custodian who will stand tall even in pressure situations.

Also Read: Top five most expensive Indian players at Women’s Hockey India League Auction

3) Charlotte Englebert – Rs 16 Lakhs (Soorma Hockey Club)

Soorma Hockey Club signed Charlotte Englebert for a sum of Rs. 16 lakhs. While the Belgian registered herself in the auction as a forward, she is also adept at playing as a midfielder, giving support to the defence if required.

The 23-year-old was part of the outfits which won the silver medal in the 2023 European Championships, bronze in the 2021 European Championships, silver in the 2022 European Junior Championship and the 2018 EuroHockey Youth Championship.

While she was a much more prolific goal scorer in the junior team, she has decent stats at the senior level too. Englebert has scored 22 goals in 75 matches, along with the numerous assists and goal scoring opportunities she has created.

2) Charlotte Stapenhorst – Rs 16 Lakhs (Soorma Hockey Club)

Interestingly, Soorma Hockey Club purchased another forward going by the name Charlotte, at the same price of Rs. 16 lakhs. Germany’s Charlotte Stapenhorst is an extremely experienced player having played in three editions of the Summer Olympics already.

She was part of the bronze medal winning team in the 2016 Rio Olympics, apart from the sides which clinched the silver medal in the 2021 European Championship and the bronze medal in the same tournament in 2023. The 29-year-old has been in good form recently, scoring five goals in as many matches at the Paris Games.

Having featured in 171 matches for the senior side, the Soorma Hockey Club have pocketed someone who can take the responsibility of leading the offense.

Also Read: Full updated squad of all teams in Women’s Hockey India League

1) Yibbi Jansen – Rs 29 Lakhs (Odisha Warriors)

Dutch drag Yibbi Jansen, who is arguably the best drag flicker in the world, obtained a massive pay cheque of Rs. 29 lakhs, nearly double that of the players joint second in the list, by the Odisha Warriors.

The 24-year-old played a massive role in the Netherlands’ march to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, finishing as the top scorer with 9 goals in as many matches, which include one each in the semifinal and the final. She was also part of the squad which won the 2022 World Cup.

With a tally of 71 goals in 83 matches for the senior side, Jansen has shown that she can score goals against any team, anywhere in the world. The Dutch player is also known to be a solid defender and will play a key role in the backline.

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