Features
Premier League Footballers Who Played in India
In this guide, let’s focus our attention on footballers who have already played in India including Luis Garcia and John Arne Riise.
Since the Indian Super League has become a thing, a lot of professional talents in the football discipline have tested their skills and talents. Some of them have prior expertise in the analogous English Premier League. At 4rabet, you can always check what teams and players are going to participate in upcoming matches and track their former progress — everything to capitalize on your knowledge and insights with the utmost security and precision possible.
In this guide, let’s focus our attention on footballers who have already played in India. Onwards!
Luis Garcia
This footballer is more known for his appearances as a Liverpool player — eighteen goals and seventy-seven appearances on the field. Nonetheless, his time in India was also fruitful and paved the path for other talents to join the ISL.
Aspect | Description |
Full Name | Luis García Sanz |
Nationality | Spanish |
Position | Attacking Midfielder / Forward |
Indian Club | Atlético de Kolkata (now ATK Mohun Bagan) |
Years Played in India | 2014-2015 |
Appearances | 15 matches in the Indian Super League (ISL) |
Goals Scored | 4 goals |
Playstyle | His creativity and technical skills enable him to score precisely and frequently from his midfield position. |
Legacy | This footballer was among the marquee signings for ATK in the early years of the Indian Super League. In turn, his contract significantly contributed to the club’s success and the league’s overall popularity. |
Elano
In 2013, he scored eight times and achieved the title of the Indian Super League Golden Boot. With dozens of appearances, his career in the country was more than splendid.
Here is what you need to know about Elano’s playtime in India — check the table below.
Aspect | Description |
Full Name | Elano Blumer |
Nationality | Brazilian |
Position | Attacking Midfielder |
Indian Club | Chennaiyin FC |
Years Played in India | 2014-2017 |
Appearances | 40+ matches in the Indian Super League (ISL) |
Goals Scored | 10+ goals |
Notable Achievements | Led Chennaiyin FC to the 2015 Indian Super League title |
Playstyle | Known for his playmaking, vision, and set-piece proficiency. |
Legacy | Considered one of the most skilled foreign players in the ISL, Elano’s contributions were key to the early success of Chennaiyin FC. |
John Arne Riise
While this player has a career-based connection with other players on the list, namely, Luis Garcia, his path in India was quite independent. From teammates at Liverpool FC, they became rivals, competing for two different teams — Delhi Dynamos vs. Athletic de Kolkata.
Aspect | Description |
Full Name | John Arne Riise |
Nationality | Norwegian |
Position | Left-back / Midfielder |
Indian Club | Delhi Dynamos (now Odisha FC) |
Years Played in India | 2014-2015 |
Appearances | 15 matches in the Indian Super League (ISL) |
Goals Scored | 1 goal |
Notable Achievements | Played a key role in Delhi Dynamos’ defensive setup and leadership |
Playstyle | Known for his powerful left foot, crossing ability, and strong defensive presence |
Legacy | Riise’s experience and leadership added value to the ISL, bringing international recognition to the league. His time in India was relatively brief but impactful for Delhi Dynamos. |
Notable Mentions
The list can go on and on, especially with the expansion of Indian players who joined the EPL and proved their talents in the global arena. Here are a few more Premier League footballers who took part in the ISL events:
- Diego Forlan — this Uruguayan player scored five times during his eleven appearances in the ISL.
- Florent Malouda — known as a powerhouse of the ISL and its 2016 hero, this midfielder has made hundreds of appearances throughout his career.
Final Thoughts
In the future, more names will join the hall of fame in the Indian Super League. What players will compete for the first title? Time will tell for sure.
