The Indian Super League has experienced significant upheaval in recent months, with several foreign players opting to leave their respective clubs amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the league’s schedule and operational stability. This comprehensive guide provides a club-wise breakdown of foreign players who have departed the league.
Table of Contents
Club-Wise Foreign Player Departures
Kerala Blasters FC
Kerala Blasters saw the most significant exodus of foreign players during this period. Key departures included striker Jesus Jimenez, who joined Polish top-flight side Nieciecza FC after scoring 11 goals for the Blasters.
Other notable exits were Adrian Luna, the magical Uruguayan midfielder, who was loaned to Indonesian club Persik Kediri to gain regular playing time and stability.
| Player Name | Nationality | Position | New Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koldo Obieta | Spain | Striker | Transfer Pending |
| Dusan Lagator | Montenegro | Defender | Transfer Pending |
| Jesus Jimenez | Spain | Striker | Nieciecza FC (Poland) |
| Tiago Alves | Portugal | Forward | Svay Rieng (Cambodia) |
| Juan Rodriguez | Spain | Midfielder | Marbella FC (Spain) |
| Noah Sadaoui | Morocco | Forward | Loaned Out |
| Adrian Luna | Uruguay | Midfielder | Persik Kediri (Indonesia) |
Northeast United FC
Northeast United allowed star striker Alaeddine Ajaraie to depart on loan to Indonesian side Persija Jakarta while securing his contract extension by two years. The departure came as the club sought clarity on the league’s future.
| Player Name | Nationality | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chema Nunez | Spain | Forward | Transfer Pending |
| Alaeddine Ajaraie | Lebanon | Striker | Loaned to Persija Jakarta |
FC Goa
FC Goa experienced departures of key midfield and attacking players. David Timor moved to CF Intercity after making limited appearances due to the uncertain season, while Iker Guarrotxena joined Indonesian side Persijap Jepara.
| Player Name | Nationality | Position | New Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Timor | Spain | Midfielder | CF Intercity (Spain) |
| Iker Guarrotxena | Spain | Forward | Persijap Jepara (Indonesia) |
| Javier Siverio | Spain | Forward | Ethnikos Achnas (Cyprus) |
| Borja Herrera | Spain | Midfielder | Persijap Jepara (Indonesia) |
Mumbai City FC
Spanish defender Tiri, one of the league’s most distinguished figures with 144 ISL appearances, parted ways with Mumbai City and joined Indonesian side Persijap Jepara. Jon Toral, a product of Arsenal and Barcelona youth systems, moved to Persik Kediri.
| Player Name | Nationality | Position | New Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiri | Spain | Defender | Persijap Jepara (Indonesia) |
| Jon Toral | Spain | Midfielder | Persik Kediri (Indonesia) |
Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC faced significant challenges with the club suspending first-team operations in August 2025. Edgar Mendez, who had scored 10 goals and provided four assists, moved to Thai League side PT Prachuap FC. Salaheddine Bahi departed after just two Super Cup appearances.
| Player Name | Nationality | Position | New Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edgar Mendez | Spain | Attacker | PT Prachuap FC (Thailand) |
| Salaheddine Bahi | Morocco | Centre-back | Transfer Pending |
Jamshedpur FC
Javi Hernandez departed after a memorable stint, having scored 9 goals in 26 games and helping the team reach the ISL semi-finals. The Spanish forward returned to his home country to join Alaca FC.
| Player Name | Nationality | Position | New Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Javi Hernandez | Spain | Forward | Alaca FC (Spain) |
East Bengal FC
Hamid Ahadad made 7 appearances for East Bengal before departing, while Hiroshi Ibusuki, who played just 5 games and scored 1 goal, moved to Australian A-League side Western Sydney.
| Player Name | Nationality | Position | New Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamid Ahadad | Morocco | Forward | Transfer Pending |
| Hiroshi Ibusuki | Japan | Striker | Western Sydney (Australia) |
Odisha FC
Hugo Boumous, an ISL regular with 110 games and 76 goal contributions, was loaned to Malaysian club Selangor FC. Odisha FC was the first ISL club to suspend on-field operations due to financial and management issues.
| Player Name | Nationality | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo Boumous | France | Midfielder | Loaned to Selangor FC (Malaysia) |
Read More: ISL 2025-26 Foreign Players: Squad Overhauls, Departures, and Key Signings
FAQs
Why are foreign players leaving the ISL in 2025-26?
Foreign players have been departing due to uncertainty surrounding the league’s schedule, operational stability, and financial commitments. Lack of clarity prompted several players to seek opportunities elsewhere where they could secure regular playing time and stability.
Which club had the most foreign player departures?
Kerala Blasters FC experienced the largest exodus with seven foreign players departing or being loaned out, including notable figures like Adrian Luna and Jesus Jimenez.
Where have most departing ISL players gone?
Many players opted for opportunities in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. Others moved to Europe, with some returning to their home countries. A few also secured moves to other leagues like Thailand, Malaysia, and Australia.
Has Alaeddine Ajaraie been sold or loaned out?
Alaeddine Ajaraie was loaned to Indonesian club Persija Jakarta. Northeast United secured his contract extension by two years before allowing the loan move, protecting their long-term interests.
When does the ISL 2025-26 season start?
The ISL 2025-26 season is scheduled to kick off on February 14, 2026.
