The second half of the January 2026 transfer window turned the season on its head, as clubs across the league shifted gears from cautious exits to aggressive rebuilds.
What began as a quiet window dominated by outgoings suddenly exploded into a flurry of strategic signings, foreign reinforcements, and domestic depth additions, reshaping squads just weeks before league kick-off.
Kerala Blasters FC: A Total Foreign Reset with Clear Intent
Kerala Blasters FC stole headlines with a complete overhaul of their foreign contingent, signaling a fresh tactical direction.
The Blasters brought in five new overseas players, forward Victor Bertomeu and defensive midfielder Matias Hernandez from Spain, winger Kevin Yoke from France, attacking midfielder Marlon Roos-Trujillo from Germany and defender Oumar Bah from Senegal, adding versatility, physicality, and European experience across the pitch.
Alongside the foreign revamp, the signing of Rowlin Borges added valuable domestic experience and balance to the midfield unit.
Chennaiyin FC Go All-In with Experience and Creativity
Chennaiyin FC were equally proactive, focusing on proven quality and international pedigree.
Spanish attacking midfielder Alberto Noguera and forward Inigo Martin arrived to inject creativity and control, while Moroccan midfielder Mohammed Ali Bemammer and Brazilian centre-back Eduardo Kau strengthened the spine and defensive options.
Domestic signing Imran Khan further boosted squad depth, reflecting Chennaiyin’s intent to remain competitive across the season.
Inter Kashi FC: The Most Aggressive Movers of the Window
Newly promoted Inter Kashi FC emerged as the most active club in the January 2026 transfer window, leaving no stone unturned in squad building.
The club leaned heavily on Spanish recruitment with goalkeeper Lluís Tarrés, defensive midfielder Sergio Llamas, winger Alfred Planas, centre-back David Humanes and also added Lithuanian forward Nauris Petkevicius to diversify their foreign core.
On the domestic front, Inter Kashi strengthened smartly with signing Seiminlen Doungel, Nishu Kumar, Jayesh Rane, Narender Gahlot and Rohit Danu, assembling a squad aimed at survival and stability in their debut top-flight campaign.
Sporting Club Delhi Strengthen Core with Balanced Recruitment
Sporting Club Delhi focused on balance, adding three foreign players — midfielder duo Abdul-Halik Hudu and Ebenezer Amoh from Ghana, along with Serbian forward Matija Babovic.
They complemented these signings with domestic additions Mohammed Aimen, Mohammed Azhar, and experienced defender Ashutosh Mehta, ensuring depth across key positions.
Selective but Smart: FC Goa and East Bengal FC
FC Goa chose a targeted domestic approach, bringing in Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Ishan Pandita, and Raynier Fernandes to strengthen their Indian core without disrupting squad chemistry.
East Bengal FC, meanwhile, added Spanish forward Youssef Ezzejjari to bolster their attack and secured Jerry Mawihmingthanga as a domestic reinforcement, focusing on quality over quantity.
Notable Outgoings Mark the Other Side of the Window
While incomings dominated the narrative in the second-half of the transfer window, several high-profile exits also took place.
Salaheddine Bahi joined Renaissance Zemamra and Hamid Ahadad moved to Hassania d’Agadir in Morocco. Chema Núñez signed for FKS Stal Mielec in Poland. Hugo Boumous departed for Selangor FC in Malaysia. Koldo Obieta joined Borneo FC Samarinda, and Dusan Lagator signed with PSM Makassar in Indonesia. Clayton da Silva and Andrei Alba also moved to PERSIS Solo in Indonesia, highlighting the growing regional demand for league talent.
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Conclusion
While the first half of the January transfer window showed only outgoings, the second half told a very different story, with multiple incomings as clubs rushed to fill gaps left by departures and increased squad depth.
The official announcement of the league kick-off date and schedule gave teams much-needed clarity to plan ahead and fine-tune their preparations. With relegation potentially in play, clubs showed urgency in strengthening crucial positions, even as some players exited in search of better opportunities and long-term stability elsewhere.
Now, with the transfer window shut, all eyes turn to the pitch as clubs gear up to battle it out, with the league set to kick off on 14th February.
