There’s a certain thrill in watching a goalkeeper deny a sure-shot goal be it a last-second stretch, a fingertip save or a crucial one-on-one. While strikers are celebrated for their goals, it’s often the shot-stoppers who hold the fort when it matters most. In the Indian Super League (ISL), the Golden Glove recognises those who’ve been calm amid the chaos and honours the shot-stopper with the most clean sheets each season.

Over the years, the ISL has seen some truly top-tier goalkeeping performances and the Golden Glove has been a quiet but prestigious recognition of consistency between the sticks.

Here’s a quick dive into every season’s safest pair of hands who won the award.

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— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) May 24, 2025

2014 - Jan Seda (FC Goa)

In the ISL’s inaugural season, FC Goa’s Czech keeper Seda quietly racked up seven clean sheets. While it was FC Goa’s midfield that stole most of the attention, Seda’s presence ensured defensive stability. The Gaurs finished second in the league stage and reached the semis, where they narrowly lost to ATK FC on penalties.

2015 - Apoula Edel (Chennaiyin FC)

Chennaiyin FC’s ISL Cup triumph in 2015 was built on strong foundations and Edel was one of them. The Cameroonian-Armenian custodian brought Champions League experience and leadership, guiding a solid defensive unit. His saves in key moments helped Chennaiyin FC secure important wins, including a dramatic victory over FC Goa in the final.

2016 - Amrinder Singh (Mumbai City FC)

Amrinder Singh’s rise in Indian football got a big boost in 2016 when he clinched the Golden Glove with Mumbai City FC, keeping six clean sheets in just five games. He didn’t start the season as the first-choice keeper, but once given a chance, he grabbed it with both hands and never looked back. His reflexes and shot-stopping were instrumental as the Islanders topped the league table. Unfortunately, they fell short in the semis against ATK FC, but Amrinder had announced himself in style.

2017-18 - Subrata Paul (Jamshedpur FC)

The Indian veteran had a stellar season with new boys Jamshedpur FC. Subrata kept seven clean sheets across 18 games and rolled back the years with some top-drawer saves. Despite his efforts, Jamshedpur FC narrowly missed out on the playoffs but Paul’s performances were a silver lining in their debut campaign.

2018-19 - Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)

This was Gurpreet at his commanding best. Bengaluru FC were a well-oiled machine that season and Gurpreet was their ever-present wall. His league-high seven clean sheets from 20 games helped the Blues finish top of the league and eventually win the ISL Cup where they beat FC Goa 1-0 in a dramatic final.

2019-20 - Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)

Back-to-back Golden Gloves for Gurpreet! This time he kept 11 clean sheets in 19 games. Even though Bengaluru FC couldn’t defend the ISL Cup and fell in the semis to eventual champions ATK FC, Gurpreet was consistent throughout the season. His performance level remained top-notch, and his clean sheet tally was again unmatched.

2020-21 - Arindam Bhattacharja (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Bhattacharja had arguably the best season of his career under Antonio Habas, keeping 10 clean sheets in 23 games. His calm presence and key saves helped Mohun Bagan Super Giant finish second in the league and reach the final. While they lost the Shield and ISL Cup by fine margins to Mumbai City FC, Bhattacharja’s contributions were a major reason they got that far.

2021-22 - Prabhsukhan Gill (Kerala Blasters FC)

Thrust into the spotlight due to Albino Gomes’ injury, the young Prabhsukhan Gill grabbed his chance with both gloves, keeping seven clean sheets. He showed composure beyond his years as Kerala Blasters FC enjoyed one of their best seasons, reaching the final. Though they lost to Hyderabad FC on penalties, Gill’s emergence was a huge positive.

2022-23 - Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Vishal Kaith’s move to Mohun Bagan Super Giant turned out to be a masterstroke. He was rock solid throughout the campaign and led the clean sheet charts with 12, setting a new record in ISL history. In the final, he made crucial saves during the penalty shootout against Bengaluru FC, sealing the ISL Cup for the Mariners.

2023-24 - Phurba Lachenpa (Mumbai City FC)

Phurba Lachenpa finally claimed the Golden Glove after a season of remarkable consistency. Though Amrinder Singh (Odisha FC) and Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan Super Giant) also kept nine clean sheets, it was Lachenpa’s superior clean sheet-per-game ratio (achieving his tally in just 21 games) that won him the award. His shot-stopping, confidence on the ball and composure under pressure gave Mumbai City FC the edge at the back. The Islanders lifted their second ISL Cup, beating MBSG in the final and making it two trophies in two seasons for a club that’s built a winning habit.

2024-25 - Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Kaith was simply unbeatable in the ISL 2024-25 season. The MBSG goalkeeper set a new ISL record with 15 clean sheets in one season, anchoring a defensive unit that conceded the fewest goals across the campaign. His heroics helped the Mariners win both the League Shield and the ISL Cup, completing the first-ever double in the club’s ISL history, and making them just the second team ever to do so. In the process, Kaith also etched his name in the record books as the first goalkeeper to cross 50 clean sheets in ISL history, marking an iconic season for both player and club.