The 2024-25 ISL winter transfer window has been relatively quiet, as many clubs spent heavily during the summer window. Despite some of those teams struggling this season and the league being dominated by Shield Mohun Bagan Super Giant, most summer arrivals have done their business at their respective clubs. The league leaders, upper-ranked FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United have not done business for obvious reasons as have Chennaiyin FC and Mohammedan SC. However, the low-lying sides will start making deals once their targets are set to make a late surge for the top six. The transfers done in this winter window are mostly by play-off-seeking sides to strengthen up for the second half of the campaign.
Here are the transfers completed in the winter transfer window by ISL clubs for the 2024-25 ISL season:
Bengaluru FC
OUT: Monirul Molla (on loan)
After a busy summer, Bengaluru FC is hesitant to make any moves in the winter transfer window. Even though their form has dwindled, the Blues are still in the ISL Shield race behind runaway leaders and holders Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The only departure from the club has been Monirul Molla, who made the loan move to Rajasthan United after not getting enough game time this season. The India U-20 international caught attention last season getting first-team chances although the addition of Jorge Diaz and Edgar Mendez in the frontline this term with the emergence of Vinith Venkatesh limited his time on the pitch for the Blues.
East Bengal FC
IN: Richard Celis
Even after high spending in the summer, East Bengal is not getting the results on the pitch as another season without playoff qualification looms large. Despite recovering from their worst start to an ISL season by losing the first six games and getting Carles Cuadrat sacked, the Red and Gold are still struggling staying 11th on the table and nine points off the top six spot. While their defence leaked goals, the main issue for the side has been up top with last season’s Golden Boot winner signing Dimitrios Diamantakos struggling with injury and form with an ageing Cleiton Silva proving ineffective this season. David Lalhlansanga is still too young to shoulder all the responsibility and on top of that, the team lost Madih Talal for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury.
Venezuelan international Richard Celis has been roped in for his replacement in what seems to be a promising signing. Celis debuted for his national team in 2021 and played in the Copa America the same year. The best moments of his career came in Caracas FC’s jersey, the most successful in Venezuelan football history, with 24 goals in 86 appearances for the club. Celis is a star signing but East Bengal are not new to such transfers midway through the season. However, those transfers did not work out like Víctor Vázquez and Felicio Brown did last season. Both were past their primes while Celis had just moved into it, aged 28, so Oscar Bruzon’s team is hopeful that he will make a mark and pull the side out of misery.
Hyderabad FC
OUT: Laldanmawia (on loan)
Kerala Blasters FC
OUT: Rahul KP, Jaushua Sotirio, Prabir Das (on loan)
Kerala Blasters are facing significant struggles this season but have managed to narrow the gap to the top-six in the ISL table, an outcome they did not predict after a summer where they brought in ISL star Noah Sadaoui and the second-most goalscorer this season Jesus Jimenez. Due to significant spending in the summer, the club will likely not pursue major signings in the winter transfer window. That does not mean there was no activity as some important departures took place with local boy and fan favourite Rahul KP cutting ties after spending six seasons at Blasters. He joins Odisha FC, another team in the playoff chase. The club also saw right-back Prabir Das moving to Mumbai City FC on loan after earning just one start this season. Another player to leave the club this window is Jaushua Sotirio having not featured for the club in any competitive game for two seasons due to his injury crisis.
Mumbai City FC
IN: Prabir Das (on loan)
ISL Cup winners Mumbai City FC are also not in the best shape this season. The Islanders are outside the top four and are seemingly out of the Shield race with the side struggling on both ends of the pitch. The defensive situation appears more concerning for Petr Krakty's team after losing key figures like Rahul Bheke and Akash Mishra, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Suffering heavy losses this season has compelled the team to seek reinforcements, leading to the loan of right-back Prabir Das from Kerala Blasters. The former Mohun Bagan player adds depth and experience to the defence, which is an immediate need for the team. The 31-year-old can also create chances and will combine with Lalianzuala Chhangte on the right flank. However, his experience will require the most here.
Odisha FC
IN: Rahul KP, Dorielton
OUT: Niraj Kumar, Givson Singh
The busiest club of all this January window has been Odisha FC who has made eye-catching additions to the forward line to boost their attack. The Juggernauts are desperate to stay in the playoff race after falling off from the top-six spot this season. Roy Krishna’s season-ending ACL injury has also forced the club to make signings as Diego Mauricio is the only out-and-out center-forward in the club. Odisha FC has secured the service of the top goalscorer in the Super League Kerala last year Dorielton who came into the limelight after his goal-scoring exploits at Bangladesh Premier League. However, the striker has showered goals wherever he has gone, making over 115 strikes. The 34-year-old seems to be an instant hit for Sergio Lobera’s men having scored twice and picked up an assist in his first three appearances for the club. The other headline signing has been Rahul KP boosting the options at the wings for the side.
Punjab FC
IN: Petros Giakoumakis
Following the sudden departure of summer signing Musa Bakenga, Punjab FC had to dip into the winter window to keep their foreign quota intact. The Shers have purchased Petros Giakoumakis, with Luka Majcen the only proper striker in the squad, for the remainder of the season in a six-month contract. The forward joins from the Greek second-division club Makedonikos having spent his entire career in Greece and scoring 61 goals. The 32-year-old is expected to strengthen the frontline of a struggling Punjab FC, desperate for inspiration to rekindle its playoff chase.
