Transfer windows always have been, are and will be, a roller coaster ride for fans. The anticipation to see new heroes come in, worrying about favourite stars leaving for pastures anew and keeping oneself grounded amidst tasty transfer rumours, make for an emotional affair for football fans. The Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 summer window was no different, with the last few months taking fans through an exhilarating trip, with its own ups and downs.

However, with the official summer transfer window having concluded, let's take a step back and recap the Hero ISL 2019-20 transfer window from the lens of the fans, with a little help from their social media chatter.

Jerry Mawhmingthanga’s move to the Delhi Dynamos FC marked the first official transfer of the season and was greeted with a lot of enthusiasm by fans.

Jamshedpur fans, however, didn't have to mourn the loss of their speedster for too long as the management quickly unleashed a raft of new signings like Joyner Lourenco, Keegan Pereira, Piti and Noe Acosta. Key contract extensions were also handed out to Memo, Augustin Fernandes and Robin Gurung.

With their spirits high, some Jamshedpur fans were also speculating that Hero ISL legend Iain Hume might be on his way to the Furnace. The Canadian, however, quashed the rumours with a quick and witty 'nope'.

The month of May saw the Gaurs spring into action with fresh deals handed to Carlos Pena, Seriton Fernandes, Brandon Fernandes, Ahmed Jahouh, Hugo Boumous and Ferran Corominas. Each of those reveals generated considerable rush amongst the fans, who will be hoping to go the distance this time around.

Seiminlen Doungel was also brought in from Kerala Blasters to add to the buzz.

Amidst the Gaurs' march, Kerala Blasters got into the action roping in Eelco Schattorie as their new head coach and tying down Sahal Abdul Samad with a crucial contract extension.

The club from Kochi only upped the ante in the following couple of months roping in a host of top names like Bartholomew Ogbeche, Sergio Cidoncha, Mario Arques, Mouhamadou Moustapha Gning, Jairo Rodrigues, TP Rehenesh and others sending their fanbase in cloud nine.

Kerala's traditional rivals ATK, too, flexed their muscle in the transfer market, bringing in some top names like Roy Krishna, David Williams, Carl McHugh, Michael Soosairaj and his brother Regin, Dario Vidosic and others, prompting a social media war between the fans of two teams to determine who was making the better signings.

Anas Edathodika and Dheeraj Singh's move from Kerala Blasters to ATK went on to add further fuel to the rivalry.

Another big talking point making headlines on social media in June and July was Eugeneson Lyngdoh's homecoming to Bengaluru, with adoring fans welcoming back one of their own with open arms.

Mumbai City FC, meanwhile, made some smart acquisitions in Amine Chermtiti, Rowllin Borges, Serge Kevyn, Diego Carlos, Mato Grgic, and others. Modou Sougou and Paulo Machado's contract extensions further amplified the Islanders faithful's joy.

However, Lucian Goian leaving to join Chennaiyin did dampen the mood for Mumbai fans a bit.

While Chennaiyin fans were overjoyed with the Romanian's addition, quick departures of fan favourites Mailson Alves and Raphael Augusto did leave the Marina Machans fans somewhat crestfallen.

Augusto joining rivals Bengaluru did add to Chennaiyin fans agony and the 'shock factor' involved with the transfer even left the great Paul Masefield ‘gobsmacked’ and the banter mill spinning in full speed.

Bengaluru fans' subsequent joy of landing a brilliant player and getting one over their neighbouring rivals was, however, well-deserved considering the Blues' faithful had to endure watching the talismanic Miku leave the club and Xisco Hernandez join Delhi Dynamos earlier in the window.

Both Bengaluru and Chennaiyin fans, though, enjoyed a strong finish to their respective transfer windows with both sides bringing in a flurry of high-profile signings.

Looking back, the just-concluded transfer window was, perhaps the most nerve-wracking for NorthEast United FC fans. After watching key players like Ogbeche, Borges, Grgic leave in the first half of the window, had fans fearing the worse.

Things, however, took a turn for the better once World Cup bronze medallist Robert Jarni came in as the side's new head coach. The Croat's arrival was soon followed by some big announcements, including contract extensions for Federico Gallego and Jose Leudo and new incomings in the shape of Martin Chaves and Maximiliano Barreiro.

So, which was your favourite moment from the roller coaster of a transfer window?

Note: Teams will still be able to sign free agents post the 31st August transfer window deadline.

Related tags:

2019-2020