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The ISL transfer season is well and truly underway, with clubs bringing in few of the biggest names in order to strengthen their squad, as they look to compliment their squad of previously drafted Indian superstars.
From Manchester United legends to ISL 'veterans', a whole group of global names are set to grace the league in what is set to be its longest ever. We look into some of the foreign signings that you should keep an eye on as the teams get set for their preseason ventures in the coming month.
NOTE: Northeast United FC have yet to make a foreign signing this season
Robbie Keane ( ATK )
The former Republic of Ireland captain is one of the biggest names to grace the Indian Super League this season and although the oldest of the lot at 37, a lot of hopes will be pinned on him by the Kolkata fans. Keane is Republic of Ireland's highest capped player and all-time top scorer with 68 goals and 146 apps.
He is also the fourth highest scoring European player of all time and is also the only player to have scored at least one international goal for 19 consecutive years. Keane started his senior career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, before playing for the likes of Inter Milan, Leeds, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Celtic, West Ham and LA Galaxy.
A true legend of the game, in his last season for LA Galaxy, the Spurs legend scored 10 goals from 22 outings. After losing on key strikers Helder Postiga and Iain Hume, ATK will have lots of expectations from the former Irish international and hope he stays fit and within the goals as they gun for their third title.
Juan Leandro Vogliotti (Delhi Dynamos)
The 32-year-old Argentinian started his career in his home country and has played for the likes of Independiente, Sportivo Atenas etc. At 5'11, Vogliotti is a big physical presence in the box and loves an aerial duel.
As recently as his last season as a forward for Sport Boys Warnes in the Bolivian Primera Division, he scored 22 goals in 38 games and finished the league as its second highest scorer. The Delhi fans will have their hopes pinned on the centre forward to take them the full distance after finishing with a semi final spot last year.
Rene Mihelic (Chennayin FC)
The 29-year-old attacking midfielder was a top priority for coach John Gregory as he took over from Materazzi and it's not a surprise given the Slovenian's CV. Mihelic made his debut for the Slovenian National side at the age of 19 years 1 month and 17 days making him the youngest ever player to don national team colours.
Mihelic started his career at his home club of NK Maribor and has since had stints in clubs in Europe including Hungarian club Debrecen for whom he even scored in the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign. Mihelic last played for Latvian side Riga FC and scored 2 goals in 5 appearances.
Sameegh Doutie (Jamshedpur FC)
The new boys Jamshedpur FC are hoping to make an instant impact in the league and what a way to make a statement than by signing one of the best players from the current Champions ATK in Sameegh Doutie. The attacking midfielder who also plays in the wings has been a key player for ATK in their title winning campaign last year and has been a fan favorite.
The 28-year-old has been one of ATK's main players in both supplying balls and scoring goals himself. The South African has 5 goals and 10 assists to his name for the Kolkata outfit and coach Steve Coppell will hope he can have a similar impact for his new team this term.
John Johnson (Bengaluru FC)
Bengaluru FC have won the lot since the club's inception in 2013 with two I-League titles and two Federation Cups and will be hoping to maintain that streak as they start their new journey in the Indian Super League next season. To do so, they have retained one of their prized foreign players in John Johnson.
Johnson, a former teammate of Ashley Westwood, was brought in by the former Manchester United man during his coaching stint at BFC and since then he has been a defensive stalwart for the Blues. A no-nonsense defender, Johnson has been a fan favourite for years and thus it wasn't a surprise when BFC retained his services.The Englishman is well accustomed to the Indian conditions and players and would be a key figure in Bengaluru's title bid.
Marcelinho (FC Pune City)
FC Pune have made their statement of intent for the new season of ISL clear as they unveiled their new signing in last year's Golden Boot winner in Brazilian Marcelo Leite Pereira or Marcelinho as he is popularly known.
The former Delhi Dynamos player had scored 10 goals in his 14 outings for the Lions and was an influential figure in the team last season as he guided them to a semi final spot. The 30-year-old Brazilian was in high demand in the transfer market and Pune fans and staff will be having high hopes for him this season as they gun for the title.
Bruno Pinheiro (FC Goa)
The 29-year-old Portuguese midfield man returns to FC Goa for his second stint in the ISL after succumbing to heartbreak in the semi finals at the hands of eventual champions ATK after a penalty shootout in the 2014 season.
Pinheiro started his career at Boavista in his native Portugal in 2006, rising through the club's youth ranks. He then went on to play for a host of other clubs in Europe, his last stint was with Israeli club Hapoel Haifa for whom he made 55 appearances. Pinheiro was a regular during his last stint with the Gaurs and will be hoping to do the same with new manager Sergio Lobera at the helm.
Iain Hume (Kerala Blasters)
An ISL veteran in his own right and the league's all-time top scorer, the Scottish-Canadian striker completes the circle and goes back to where it all began for him. After two successful spells at ATK, with whom he won the title last season, Hume makes a sensational return to Kerala Blasters, the club where his Indian journey began.
The Canadian international with his doggedness and eye for goal has won every prize ISL has to offer apart from the Golden Boot, something he will be eyeing this season. The 33-year-old has a total of 23 goals in 46 matches during his three seasons in the ISL with both the Blasters and ATK. A popular man and a fan favourite down south, Hume will be smacking his lips at the opportunity to play in front of the yellow sea of Blasters supporters again.
Lucian Goian (Mumbai City FC)
One of the best defenders in the ISL last season and part of the Team of the Year, the Romanian central defender returns for his second year as a Mumbai City player and will be hoping to pick up where he left off and take his team all the way in the latest edition of the league.
Goian was well-suited to the Indian game last season and was one the key reasons behind Mumbai's position at the top of the table during the league stage. The 34-year-old, along with his defensive abilities, brings loads of experience. The Romanian has won the five titles during his time in Romania with Dinamo Bucuresti, Cehlaul and CFR Cluj. The defender, after his last stint with Mumbai, plied his trade with Perth Glory in the Australian A-League earlier this year in March and made six appearances for the club.
