Punjab FC Bolster Squad with Three Foreign Signings Ahead of 2025–26 ISL Season

Punjab FC has made a strong statement ahead of the upcoming 2025–26 Indian Super League (ISL) season by signing three new foreign players — Dani Ramirez, Samir Zeljkovic, and Effiong Nsungusi. All three players have completed medicals and signed one-year deals after arriving on free transfers, with final registration expected to be completed within the next two weeks.

Ramirez, 33, brings flair and experience to the midfield. A graduate of Real Madrid’s youth academy, he spent much of his early career with the reserve teams of Real, Valencia, and Getafe before moving to Poland, where he won the Ekstraklasa title with Lech Poznan in 2022. 

The Spanish attacking midfielder joins Punjab from Turkish second-division side Manisa F.K., where he made 34 appearances last season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists. He will slot into the creative role left vacant by Ezequiel Vidal, who moved to Indonesian side PSIM Yogyakarta.

Bosnian defensive player Samir Zeljkovic, 28, arrives with a reputation for versatility. Comfortable at both centre-back and in defensive midfield, Zeljkovic has shared training camps with national stars Miralem Pjanic and Edin Dzeko. 

He spent most of his career at FK Velez Mostar, where he lifted the Bosnian-Herzegovinian Cup in 2022. Last season, he featured in UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers with FK Radnicki 1923 Kragujevac. Zeljkovic is expected to fill the void left by either Ivan Novoselec or Filip Mrzljak, both of whom departed Punjab at the end of the previous season.

Meanwhile, Nigerian striker Effiong Nsungusi will aim to rediscover his form in India. Standing at 195 cm, the powerful forward returns to Asia after an unproductive spell at Romanian club UTA Arad, where he failed to score in six appearances. Nsungusi previously impressed with Uzbekistan’s FC Neftchi Fergana, contributing 12 goal involvements (7 goals and 5 assists) in 28 matches.

Punjab’s foreign recruitment had been delayed due to uncertainty surrounding the ISL’s future, which led to several key exits — including striker Luka Majcen and playmaker Vidal. 

However, following the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) agreement with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) — and the Supreme Court’s approval of the new season plan — the club moved swiftly to rebuild its squad.

The Shers have also added three Indian players: Muhammad Uvais from Jamshedpur FC, Bijoy V from Inter Kashi, and Likmabam Rakesh from Kerala Blasters. 

Punjab’s first challenge of the season will come in the Super Cup in Goa (October 25–November 22), where they will face Bengaluru FC, Mohammedan Sporting, and Gokulam Kerala. The team opens its campaign against Gokulam Kerala on October 27 at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim.