Indian Super League (ISL) outfit FC Goa announced that Borja Herrera, who initially joined the club on a short-term loan deal in January this year, has now signed a permanent contract.

The 31-year-old Spanish midfielder has made a significant impact for the Gaurs since his arrival, notching two goals and three assists in 14 appearances in the second half of last season.

Born in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Herrera began his football journey at UD Las Palmas’ academy. He has since honed his talent at various clubs across Spain, Israel, and India, establishing himself as a versatile and dynamic presence in the midfield.

Herrera’s career includes notable stints with UD Las Palmas in La Liga, Real Valladolid in the Segunda Division, and Hyderabad FC in the ISL, where he played a key role in helping his team finish as runners-up in the race for the 2022–23 League Shield. He also represented East Bengal FC in the Durand Cup 2023, the first half of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023–24 season, and in the Kalinga Super Cup 2024, where they emerged champions.

Since joining FC Goa on loan from the Red and Gold Brigade in the second half of last season, Herrera has played a crucial role in the team securing a third-place finish in the ISL League Stage and advancing to the semi-finals of the ISL Cup playoffs. Overall, he has registered 63 appearances since arriving in India, with eight goals and 15 assists to his name.

Herrera expressed his excitement about the permanent move, stating: "I am very happy to be able to extend my association with FC Goa. It was my only wish since the end of the previous season.

“From the first moment I arrived, everyone at the club, the team, and the fans treated me in an incredible way. I have a thorn from last season’s ISL Cup playoff semi-finals that I have to get rid of,” he continued.

“I'm sure it will be a great year, and we’ll work hard to make everyone proud and happy,” he added.

Manolo Marquez, head coach of FC Goa, added: "Borja Herrera’s return is by choice of the club, as much as it is of the player himself. He is an experienced player who knows the ISL perfectly. He can play in different positions, and his numbers in terms of statistics are always good. He is a specialist in set pieces.

“To add to all of this, he is a very positive person who has a positive effect on the group in terms of mentality as well. Overall, he is one of the most complete players in the league,” he continued.

With Borja Herrera's signing, it can also be noted that the Men in Orange have completed their foreign contingent for the season. The Spaniard will link up with Odei Onaindia, Carl McHugh, and new arrivals Iker Guarrotxena, Dejan Dražić, and Armando Sadiku at the club.

Punjab FC welcome Croatian midfielder Filip Mrzljak

Indian Super League (ISL) club Punjab FC have announced the arrival of Croatian midfielder Filip Mrzljak ahead of the upcoming 2024–25 season.

Mrzlijak last featured for Croatian top-flight club HNK Gorica. The 31-year-old was born in Zagreb and primarily plays as a defensive midfielder.

The Croatian graduated from the famous Dinamo Zagreb Academy, which has produced the likes of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Vedran Corluka, Josko Gvardiol, Dejan Lovren, Niko Kranjcar, and many others. He signed his first professional contract with Dinamo Zagreb before being sent on loan to Radnik Sesvete in Zagreb.

He played three seasons for Croatian top-flight club Lokomotiva and then later spent five years in Romania, playing for Pandurii Targu Jiu, Astra Giurgiu, and Dinamo Bucuresti. He then played two seasons for Russian club FC Ufa before signing for HNK Gorica.

Mrzlijak is an accomplished youth international for Croatia, representing them in all age group categories from under-14 to under-21. He represented Croatia in the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup and the 2012 UEFA U19 Championships.

Speaking about the signing, Technical Director of Punjab FC, Nikolaos Topoliatis, said, “We are excited to have Filip in our ranks for the upcoming season. He is an experienced campaigner who has played in Europe at the highest level of youth football. He will add steel to the midfield and be a leader in and out of the field.”

Jamshedpur FC sign Aniket Jadhav and full-back Shubham Sarangi

ISL side Jamshedpur FC have announced the return of winger Aniket Jadhav and the signature of full-back Shubham Sarangi ahead of the 2024–25 season.

Jadhav made his ISL debut for the Men of Steel and spent two seasons there. A physically tough winger with a mix of pace and trickery, Jadhav hails from the town of Kolhapur in Maharashtra and joins the club for one season. Post-Jamshedpur stint, he won the ISL Cup with Hyderabad in 2021–22 and the Super Cup with Odisha FC in 2022–23.

He has consistently proven himself to be the difference-maker in crucial games, and his versatility in playing multiple positions on the attack makes him an asset for the team in the upcoming season.

The 24-year-old winger's most recent success came with Odisha FC, where he won the Super Cup in the 2022–23 season. His stint with Odisha FC was preceded by a brief spell with East Bengal FC in 2022–23. Jadhav has also plied his trade in the U17 World Cup as well as in friendlies for the Indian national team.

Jadhav expressed his joy on his return to Jamshedpur and said, "I'm thrilled to be back home in Jamshedpur and eager to perform. I am excited to play under head coach Khalid Jamil, and my only aim is to be focused and step up every time I am required.”

Born in Kolhapur, Jadhav began his football career with Pune FC Academy. In 2015, he was drafted into the India camp for the U17 World Cup, after which he went on to play in the AFC U16 Championships and the FIFA U17 World Cup, both held in India, making the country and Indian football proud.

Head coach Khalid Jamil shared his enthusiasm about the signing, saying, “We're delighted to have Aniket Jadhav back. This is a crucial year for him to showcase his skills and make a significant impact, especially with his experience. He'll find it easier to settle into familiar surroundings. However, he'll face stiff competition to secure his spot and needs to push and deliver his best. Jadhav's versatility in playing multiple positions is a massive asset for us, and we're excited to see him contribute to the team's success."

On the same day, the Men of Steel also acquired the services of promising young defender Shubham Sarangi for one season, with a performance-based extension.

The 24-year-old joins the squad after a stint with Odisha FC from 2019–2023. Prior to his time with Odisha FC, Sarangi honed his skills with Delhi Dynamos from 2017–19, where he made his ISL debut.

Sarangi expressed his joy, stating, "I'm thrilled to join Jamshedpur FC. I had a tough few seasons with injuries, but now I am raring to go stronger under the guidance of coach Khalid Jamil. My goals are to establish myself by playing regularly and working cohesively as a unit."

Sarangi has had an impressive youth career, representing India in the 2013 U-14 AFC qualifying tournament held in Iran. This exposure sparked a series of opportunities that shaped his development as a player. Sarangi was subsequently drafted into the U-17 World Cup project for India, undergoing rigorous training in Goa.

He then later joined Minerva Punjab F.C. Academy for the 2015-16 season, where he excelled in the U-15 and U-18 I-League. He continued to represent India's national U-17 squad in World Cup football. In 2018, Sarangi further honed his skills with a four-month training stint at the prestigious Aspire Academy in Qatar.

Head coach Khalid Jamil shared his enthusiasm about the signing, saying, "Shubham Sarangi's can seamlessly adapt to various defensive positions. He knows that he must fight to cement his position and maintain his availability throughout the season. He has joined us for the past two weeks, and I am impressed with his work ethic and drive, and he has seamlessly gelled with the squad."

Narendra Naik joins Odisha FC

ISL side Odisha FC announced the signing of teenage midfielder Narendra Naik ahead of the 2024–25 season.

Naik becomes the Kalinga Warriors’ second arrival from the Reliance Foundation Young Champs after Subham Bhattacharya.

The 19-year-old Goa-born midfielder played four games in the RF Development League last season and clocked 350 minutes on the pitch.