Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa, on Thursday, announced the departure of their captain, Brandon Fernandes. With his contract expiring this summer, Fernandes is set to leave the club and embark on a new chapter in his career.

Having joined Goa in the summer of 2017, the Indian international made 130 appearances for the Gaurs across all competitions, which is the second-highest for any player to date.

The 29-year-old gifted FC Goa with several treasured memories across his seven-year stint with the club, one such moment being his 64th-minute winner in the unforgettable Super Cup final against Chennaiyin FC in 2019 which secured FC Goa’s first-ever major silverware.

Brandon went on to become the Gaurs’ all-time top assists-maker, a record which he holds to this date with 31 assists to his name.

This is in addition to the 17 goals that he scored for the Gaurs, including the one against Chennaiyin FC earlier this year which took the team to the semi-finals of the Indian Super League (ISL) Cup playoffs after a brief two-year hiatus.

The Benaulim-based footballer also played a crucial role in the club’s ISL League Shield victory in the 2019-20 season and the Durand Cup triumph in 2021. The quality and consistency that he exhibited throughout his time with us further led to his first senior Indian national team call-up in 2019.

He has since gone on to cement his position in the Blue Tigers’ setup, winning the SAFF Championship with the team in 2021.

Ravi Puskur, CEO of FC Goa, said, “Brandon wore the badge of FC Goa for seven years with great pride and was a fantastic ambassador for the values the Club stood for on and off the pitch. He became ingrained into the fabric of the Club and was one of the pillars upon which sporting success was built in the seasons he was with us. We will miss him dearly and he will go down as one of the true icons of the Club.

“While he leaves us today, Brandon will always be welcomed back to FC Goa in whatever capacity he may choose with open arms and this Club will always have a special place for him and his family,” he added.

Bengaluru FC part ways with Javi Hernandez

Indian Super League (ISL) side Bengaluru FC have parted ways with their Spanish midfielder Javi Hernandez. The club announced his departure through their social media channels.

The playmaker has been a notable figure in the ISL following his successful stints with ATK, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and Odisha FC. After spending one year with the Kalinga Warriors, Hernandez joined the Blues ahead of the ISL 2022-23 season.

He became a key player under then-head coach Simon Grayson. The Spaniard started 22 games in his debut season, scoring seven goals and providing five assists as his side reached the ISL Cup final.

In the subsequent season, despite the struggling form of Bengaluru FC, Hernandez had some standout moments. Playing 1,470 minutes across 21 appearances in the ISL 2023-24 season, Hernandez added five more goals to his tally.

Overall, across the two seasons, Hernandez scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 53 matches in all competitions for the Blues.

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Bengaluru FCFC Goa2023-2024 Brandon FernandesFrancisco Javier Hernandez Gonzalez