With the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) redefining its format for the upcoming 2017-18 season, teams have had to re-strategise and reconfigure what’s best suited for them in what will be the longest season yet. To add to it, two new teams have entered the fray and there has been some shuffling after the pre-season draft. While we’ve seen many players become the face of their respective teams over the years, we’ve also witnessed teams releasing such players or bringing back those they had let go. Furthermore, with a host of top talents being a part of the pre-season draft, there has been some interesting development as far as players switching their allegiances goes.

With that in mind, we take a look at some well-known faces in the ISL who will don new colours for the upcoming edition of the league.

Iain Hume (Ex-Atlético de Kolkata, now back at Kerala Blasters FC)

One of the most popular faces in the league, not least due to the fact that he is the ISL’s all-time top scorer as well as his team’s top scorer every season, Iain Hume will be making a return to the Kochi-based club after spending the inaugural edition with the southerners. The Canadian frontman returns to Kerala after spearheading Atlético de Kolkata to a second title last year. He has been one of the most lethal strikers in the league and has two hat-tricks to his name in ATK colours. A firm fan-favourite, the Kerala faithful will be hoping he continues to shine in yellow this year as they eye their maiden league title.

Sunil Chhetri (Ex-Mumbai City FC, now at Bengaluru FC)

A man who will arguably be the first name on all ISL coaches’ team sheets, Sunil Chhetri had scored seven out of 16 Mumbai City FC goals during the second season of ISL. The following year saw him miss the first part of the ISL due to his commitments for (then) Hero I-League club Bengaluru FC. The upcoming edition will see him continue his stay with Bengaluru as they target silverware in their debut season in the league. The first domestic player to net a hat-trick in the league with Mumbai, Chhetri’s experience and know-how of the ISL will also be crucial to the rest of his team.

Eugeneson Lyngdoh (Ex-Bengaluru FC, ex-FC Pune City, now at Atlético de Kolkata)

So why did ATK shell out enough to make Eugeneson Lyngdoh one of the two highest paid acquisitions in the player draft this year? One just has to check his stats for Bengaluru FC for the answer. A two-time Federation Cup winner and the 2015-16 Hero I-League winner with Bengaluru FC, he now shifts to the two-time ISL champions. A smart buy, the Shillong-born midfielder can also be free-scoring if given the reigns – and that’s always a bonus. Lyngdoh wasn’t bad for the Stallions either last season, considering he only got about 170 minutes’ worth of playing time over three appearances and still managed a goal. He’ll be facing the team where he made his name though, because the Blues have announced themselves on the ISL stage this time around. Should be an interesting battle, that one!

Jayesh Rane (Ex-Chennaiyin FC, now at Atlético de Kolkata)

Jayesh Rane will have to shoulder more responsibility this year having been a part of the league in its previous three editions. Born in Mumbai, Rane had been a part of Chennaiyin FC in the last three seasons of the ISL. The first Indian scorer in the league last year, Rane makes for a perfect fit with two-time champions ATK having also lifted the trophy with Chennai in Hero ISL 2015. However, more will be expected of him this season than ever before since his vast potential is evident for all to see but questions still remain surrounding his end product, which he’s most likely to answer in ATK colours.

Henrique Sereno (Ex-Atlético de Kolkata, now at Chennaiyin FC)

Another former ATK player who saved his best for the final! This time, we’re talking about the 2016 season’s title match where Henrique Sereno scored a crucial equalizer amid some heroic defending wearing a bandage on a wounded head for most of the match. That strike led to extra time and then to penalties. A Hero of the Match performance that night, Sereno now has the chance to be the hero at Chennaiyin.

Romeo Fernandes (Ex-FC Goa, now at Delhi Dynamos FC)

A Goa faithful through and through. Well, not anymore! After three seasons with the Gaurs, Romeo moved away from his beloved Goa after the pre-season draft. He will be representing Delhi Dynamos FC this season and will be looking to add to the six goals and seven assists he has managed in the league thus far. He also holds the distinction of being the ISL’s 100th goal scorer, which has immortalised his name in the annals of the league. Goa are aware of the pacey winger’s ability and will have their work cut out as far as ensuring that the 25-year-old winger doesn’t come back to haunt them when they face each other.

Subrata Paul (Ex-Mumbai City FC, Ex-NorthEast United FC, now at Jamshedpur FC)

Here’s our friendly neighbourhood ‘Spiderman’. Born and brought up in Bengal, Subrata Paul is back to his roots, playing for Jamshedpur FC in neighbouring Jharkhand. One of the icons of Indian football, the 30-year-old custodian has played the last ISL season for the Highlanders. While he is revered highly across the country, the NorthEast fans may be a less happier lot seeing one of their main guardians shifting alliance.

Sameehg Doutie (Ex-Atlético de Kolkata, now at Jamshedpur FC)

This 28-year-old silently made all the difference for ATK, playing a key role in helping them lift their second ISL title in 2016. Five goals and double the assists over two seasons just prove how much of an asset the South African was for Kolkata - an asset which may turn into a weapon against them as he too has joined neighbouring Jamshedpur FC.

Kervens Belfort (Ex-Kerala Blasters FC, now at Jamshedpur FC)

He was strong, he was pacey, he was a finisher and he was part of the yellow brigade! Now, Kervens Belfort reunites with Steve Coppell at Jamshedpur FC. He had three goals and an assist to his name last season, and he would also do the job of bullying defenders and wearing them down. Kerala wouldn’t want any of that against them now, would they?

Marcelinho (Ex-Delhi Dynamos FC, now FC Pune City)

Delhi Dynamos FC were the free-scoring entertainers last season, and there’s no need to guess who was running their show. The 10-goal Golden Boot hero, who also managed five assists, happens to be the thicker part of the cream that got scooped off from Delhi, and whipped onto Pune, the others being Kean Lewis and Marcos Tebar. If Marcelinho continues to be at his deadly best, it wouldn’t just be Delhi praying for a reprieve in the ISL.