ISL 2025-26: East Bengal FC and Hiroshi Ibusuki Have Mutually Agreed to Part Ways

In a significant development, East Bengal FC and Japanese striker Hiroshi Ibusuki have decided to part ways through a mutual agreement. The decision comes shortly after the Super Cup campaign, concluding the 34-year-old forward’s brief stint with the Kolkata-based Indian Super League club. The separation marks an unexpected end to what was initially planned as a full season’s engagement for the experienced Japanese striker.

A Short-Lived Partnership

Ibusuki joined East Bengal in September 2025 on a free transfer contract that was supposed to extend until the end of the 2025-26 season. The Japanese forward arrived at the club following the departure of Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos. However, after featuring in several matches during the Super Cup tournament, the mutual agreement to part ways was announced, bringing his time at the Red and Gold Brigade to a close.

During his stint with East Bengal, Ibusuki made limited appearances in the Super Cup competition. He featured in three matches and scored one goal, representing an early phase of adaptation to Indian football. His brief tenure highlighted the challenges that experienced international players sometimes face when transitioning to the Indian Super League.

Career Overview and Experience

Hiroshi Ibusuki is a seasoned professional who has competed across multiple continents throughout his career. Born in Nagareyama, Chiba, Japan, he began his professional journey at Kashiwa Reysol’s youth academy before moving to Spain in 2009. His European experience included stints with Girona FC, Real Zaragoza B, CE Sabadell, and notably Sevilla FC in La Liga, where he became the first Japanese player to feature for the club in the Spanish top division.

International Football Journey

Following his European stint, Ibusuki returned to Japan’s J1 League, where he represented clubs including Albirex Niigata, JEF United Chiba, Shonan Bellmare, and Shimizu S-Pulse. His performances in the J-League established him as a reliable goalscorer. In 2021, he made the move to Australia’s A-League, joining Adelaide United before transferring to Western United FC in 2024. His A-League career proved fruitful, with the 34-year-old scoring 10 goals in 27 appearances for Western United during the 2024-25 season.

Circumstances Leading to the Departure

Western United FC faced severe financial difficulties, leading to the Australian Professional Leagues placing the club in conditional hibernation at the start of the 2025-26 season. This resulted in Ibusuki being released from his contract to pursue other opportunities. He subsequently moved to East Bengal on a free transfer agreement, aiming to bring his extensive experience and goal-scoring prowess to the Indian Super League.

However, the partnership did not develop as anticipated. The mutual decision to part ways reflects the complexities of player integration and performance dynamics in competitive football. While the specific reasons for the separation were not formally disclosed, the brief nature of the arrangement suggests potential performance or adaptation challenges during his limited appearances.

Physical Attributes and Playing Style

Standing at 1.96 metres (6’5″), Ibusuki is known for his physical presence and aerial dominance on the pitch. Throughout his career, particularly during his A-League tenure, he demonstrated exceptional proficiency in winning aerial duels, frequently winning over 60% of contested headers in key seasons. His playing style is characterized as that of a traditional target man, where his height and physicality allow him to hold up play, link with midfield players, and create opportunities for teammates while positioning himself to finish chances in the penalty area.

His clinical finishing ability and aerial prowess made him an attractive prospect for East Bengal, where head coach Oscar Bruzon praised his potential to bring experience and reliability to the frontline. Despite these qualities, the adaptation period proved insufficient for both parties to continue the working relationship.

What’s Next

East Bengal will need to reassess their attacking options for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The departure of Ibusuki leaves a void in the forward line that the club will seek to address.

Meanwhile, Ibusuki remains available as a free agent and will likely explore other opportunities in professional football. His next destination could involve clubs in various leagues seeking experienced strikers with proven goal-scoring records across multiple continents.

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