The I-League has turned into a different competition after the promotion to ISL began two seasons ago. Punjab FC and Mohammedan SC made their place in the top flight with incredible title-winning campaigns motivating others to follow their path. The 2024-25 I-League season is expected to be another competitive one with 12 teams, India U-20 team will participate as the 13th team immune to relegation and promotion, eyeing the silverware that will send them to dreamland. Hence, the transfer window has been busy for some clubs looking to make history this season and others to beat the drop.
Sreenidi Deccan, Gokulam Kerala FC, Inter Kashi and even Rajasthan United could be frontrunners for the I-League title after pulling some cracking moves in the summer. All the teams have gone through managerial changes. Hence, there has been a major squad overhaul for each side. Except for the top title contenders and potential dark horses, not much business has been done by the other clubs as they look for stability to stay in the division. The same logic applies to the new boys SC Bengaluru and returning after nine years, Dempo Sports Club.
Check out below all transfers done in the summer transfer window (clubwise) before the 2024-25 I-League season.
Sreenidi Deccan
IN: Ajay Chhetri, Seilenthang Lotjem (on loan from Mumbai City), Roly Bonevacia, Ángel Orelien
OUT: Mayakannan, Albino Gomes, Songpu Singsit
Sreenidi Deccan aims to finally secure promotion to the ISL after finishing as runners-up in the past two seasons adding more quality to their squad. The Hyderabad-based side has roped in an experienced midfielder Roly Bonevacia who started his youth career with Ajax and spent most of his career in Australia and the Middle East. Joining him is former Panama international Ángel Orelien. The significant Indian player signing has been former East Bengal and Bengaluru FC player Ajay Chhetri replacing midfield star Mayakannan Muthu who moved to ISL side NorthEast United. Goalkeeper Albino Gomes is also a big name who left the club this summer.
Real Kashmir
IN: Mohd Arbaz (on loan from Kerala Blasters), Basit Bhat, Salah
OUT: Muheet Shabir, Jeremy Laldinpuia, Carlos Lomba, Umaid Hussain, Gaira Joof
Real Kashmir’s business has been around recalling their on-loan stars and calling back former players to construct the squad with local faces. The big departure from the Snow Leopard is the talented goalkeeper Muheet Shabir to Punjab FC in ISL. Mohd Arbaz who is loaned in from Kerala Blasters and the returnee Furqan Ahmad are his replacements. The club also released Jeremy Laldinpuia, Carlos Lomba, Umaid Hussain and Gaira Joof.
Churchill Brothers
IN: Juan Mera, Ashley Koli (on loan from Mohammedan SC), Thomas Cherian (on loan from Kerala Blasters), Wayde Lekay
OUT: Nishchal Chandan, Martín Cháves, Aubin Kouakou, Sebastian Thangmuansang, Ajith Kumar
The star signing for Churchill Brothers has been I-League winner Juan Mera. The creator now joins the fourth different club in the league and will hope to make the Goan club a dark horse in the title race. Another forward signing the club has pulled out is Wayde Lekay. The major exit from the club is Martín Cháves who contributed to 21 goals in the two seasons with the club. Nishchal Chandan and Ajith Kumar are two important Indian players who have left.
Rajasthan United
IN: Tejas Krishna (on loan from Punjab FC), Tanmoy Ghosh (on loan from Mohammedan SC), Manghu Kuki, Songpu Singsit, Alain Oyarzun, Saido Berahino, Ronny Rodríguez, Pritam Singh, Chanso Horam
OUT: Sourav Das, Alfred Lalruotsang, Lalremsanga, Richardson Denzell, Hardik Bhatt, Martand Raina, William Pauliankhum, Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw, Malla Thakuri, Novin Gurung, Ronaldo Singh, Otabek Zokirov, Malsawmzuala Tlangte
Among the surprise move-makers in the transfer window are Rajasthan United showing ambition to win the title. The team turned heads with the signature of former Premier League striker Saido Berahino. Aged 31, the Burundi international joins the Cypriot club AEL Limassol with his most famous spell coming with his first club West Bromwich Albion. He has scored 74 goals in 301 appearances and could be a pivotal player for the Desert Warriors. Another prominent signing has been left-winger Alain Oyarzun holding experience playing in different divisions in Spain. The third foreign signing for the club is Colombian midfielder Ronny Rodríguez joining from the Iraqi side Air Force Sports Club. On loan midfielder from I-League holders Mohammedan SC, Tanmoy Ghosh has been a crucial Indian player signing for the team. There has been a major exodus from the club including the departure of star striker Richardson Denzell.
Delhi FC
IN: James Singh (on loan from Mohammedan SC), Dawa Tshering, Debnath Mondal, Sajal Bag (on loan from Mohammedan SC)
OUT: Sérgio Barboza, Alisher Kholmurodov, Munmun Lugun, Pawan Kumar, Suprodip Hazra, Raju Gaikwad, Fahad Temuri, Takuto Miki
Delhi FC was in the spotlight this summer due to the contract dispute involving Anwar Ali and ISL Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant. As a parent club that loaned out the player, they were handed a transfer ban for two windows alongside East Bengal FC where Anwar eventually signed for as AIFF's players status committee termed the move illegal. A fine of 12.9 crore compensation to Mohun Bagan was also granted but the case has now gone to court.
Gokulam Kerala FC
IN: Devansh Dabas, Shibin Raj Kunniyil, Michael Soosairaj, Martín Cháves, Sebastian Thangmuansang, Ignacio Abeledo, Tharpuia, Abdu Lumala, Joris Correa, Athul Unnikrishnan, Muhammad Ajsal (on loan from Kerala Blasters), Vasim Inamdar, Sergio Llamas, José Luís Moreno
OUT: Sreekuttan VS, Noufal P.N, Ngangbam Naocha, Nikola Stojanovic, Abdul Hakku, Vikas Saini, Pitu Viera, Basit Bhat, Anas Edathodika, Álex Sánchez, Arjun Jayaraj, Komron Tursunov, Aminou Bouba, Matija Babovic, Sourav K
After their last I-League win in the 2021-22 season, Gokulam Kerala have failed to win the title again, ending in third consecutively since then and missing out on promotion to the ISL. Initially, the Malabarians were favourites to join the league once the promotion to the top flight began. To fulfill their dream this time, the side has made major changes to the squad under new management again. Despite losing key stars like Sreekuttan VS, Noufal P.N, Nikola Stojanovic, Komron Tursunov, Aminou Bouba and last season’s Golden Boot winner Álex Sánchez this summer, Gokulam has not let the pace down by bringing proven stars in the I-League like Michael Soosairaj and Martín Cháves with the other new joiners should make a steady impact to take the club back to glory days.
Dempo SC
IN: Prateek Kumar Singh (On loan from Chennaiyin FC)
OUT: Vasim Inamdar, Manas Dubey, Owanijuh Pajuh
After a nine-year exile, Dempo Sports Club will see the face of the I-League again by finishing second in the I-League 2 to earn promotion. The Golden Eagles are the record winners of the division with five titles to their name and will hope to make a strong impact on their return. The club has stressed their present squad for success in the league without making too many changes. However, Dempo has to cope without the departed stars in their promotion journey Vasim Inamdar and inspiring goalkeeper Manas Dubey. To replace the latter, Prateek Kumar Singh has been loaned in from Chennaiyin FC as the only incoming this summer for the club.
Inter Kashi
IN: Sweden Fernandes, Deepak Devrani, Prasanth K, Bidyashagar Singh, Sarthak Golui, William Pauliankhum, Nikola Stojanovic, Joni Kauko, Narayan Das, Harmanpreet Singh, Dettol Moirangthem, Ashray Bhardwaj, Chirag Bhujel, Karthik Panicker, Aritra Das, Domi Berlanga, David Humanes
OUT: Lalruatthara, Nikhil Deka, Gianni dos Santos, Peter Hartley, Jackichand Singh, Ishan Dey, Angelo Singh, Anand Usuda
Inter Kashi had a notable debut in the I-League last season, making a corporate entry into the league, as they finished in the top four alongside the mainstays Sreenidi Deccan, Gokulam Kerala and winners Mohammedan SC. The team now wish to take the ultimate step to move into the ISL having appointed one of the most successful managers in Indian football Antonio Lopez Habas. The Spaniard’s appointment shows a clear intent by the side hoping to create history while their squad has undergone major transformation. The most impressive signing has been Joni Kauko who won the ISL Cup and Shield with Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan. The Finn will be a powerhouse in midfield as is Nikola Stojanovic making 24 goals contribution over three league seasons. A series of experienced Indian player signings like Deepak Devrani, Prasanth K, Bidyashagar Singh, Sarthak Golui and Dettol Moirangthem will increase the team’s potential.
Namdhari FC
OUT: Saurabh Bhanwala, Harmanpreet Singh, Iván Garrido, Tenzin Samdup, Sehnaj Singh, Amey Bhatkal, Subhajit Basu
The other corporate entry Namdhari FC hasn’t made any new additions to the squad relying on their existing players to keep them afloat in the league. Saurabh Bhanwala to Mohun Bagan and Harmanpreet Singh to Inter Kashi are the main departures from the team with Iván Garrido, Tenzin Samdup, Sehnaj Singh, Amey Bhatkal and Subhajit Basu also seeking a new destination.
Aizawl FC
IN: Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Lalruatthara, Malsawmzuala Tlangte, Laltlanzova (on loan from FC Goa), Lalhrezuala Sailung
OUT: Lalthanmawia, Nora Fernandes, Joe Zoherliana, Lalrinfela, Tharpuia, Ivan Marić, Gustavo Silva, Lalmuanawma, Rafal Zaborowski, Calvin Rosario Baretto
Aizawl FC has been busy this summer making some interesting signings from I-League and ISL. Like other seasons, the focus has been on talents with 19-year-old Malsawmzuala Tlangte being the youngest to join the club from Rajasthan United. Laltlanzova (20) and Lalhrezuala Sailung (23) are other prodigy signings from ISL clubs FC Goa and Odisha FC respectively.
Shillong Lajong
IN: Manas Dubey, Aman Ahlawat
OUT: Arik Bista, Lyngdoh Nonglait, Ngamsanglena Haokip
SC Bengaluru
IN: Tangva Ragui (on loan from Mohammedan SC), Salam Johnson Singh (on loan from Bengaluru FC)
OUT: Shaiborlang Kharpan, Roshan Gigi, Ahamad Asafar, Praful Kumar, Shaik Muzeeb
For ISL transfers, visit ISL 2023-24 All Transfers Completed
