In a significant blow to the "Yellow Army," Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) have officially confirmed that club captain Adrian Luna and star winger Noah Sadaoui have left the club on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. The departures, announced in early January 2026, are a direct consequence of the administrative paralysis within Indian football, as the Indian Super League (ISL) remains suspended indefinitely following the expiration of the Master Rights Agreement. To avoid career stagnation during this period of inactivity, both players reached a "mutually agreed arrangement" with the club to join overseas teams—reportedly in the Indonesian Super League—where they can continue playing competitive football. While Luna remains under contract with the Blasters until 2027 and is expected to return once the league situation is resolved, the loss of these two attacking pillars, alongside the earlier exits of players like Jesus Jimenez and Tiago Alves, has left the squad severely depleted and the fans in a state of despair as the club navigates its deepest financial and sporting crisis to date.Kerala Blasters FC have suffered a significant setback as club captain and midfield talisman Adrian Luna and attacking star Noah Sadaoui have officially parted ways with the
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Kochi-based Indian Super League side amid continuing uncertainty surrounding the 2025–26 ISL season. The departures were confirmed by the club through official communications, stating that both moves were made through mutual understanding to allow the players to continue competitive football during the prolonged delay and administrative instability affecting the league. Adrian Luna, who joined Kerala Blasters in 2021 and went on to become one of the most influential foreign players in the club’s history, leaves after captaining the side and playing a central role in their attacking identity with his creativity, leadership, and consistency across multiple seasons. Widely regarded as a fan favourite, Luna’s exit marks the end of an era for the Blasters, with the Uruguayan midfielder opting for an overseas loan move until clarity returns to the domestic calendar. Shortly after Luna’s departure, Kerala Blasters also confirmed the exit of Noah Sadaoui, the Moroccan-American winger who joined the club in 2024 and quickly became a key attacking option with his pace, direct style, and goal contributions. Sadaoui’s move, also structured as a loan abroad, further weakens KBFC’s squad depth and highlights the broader challenges faced by ISL clubs as players seek stability and regular match exposure. The dual exits underline the growing impact of league-level uncertainty on team planning, finances, and squad continuity, leaving Kerala Blasters facing a crucial rebuilding phase once competitive action resumes. While the club expressed gratitude to both players for their professionalism and contributions, supporters have been left disappointed by the loss of two core figures, as the focus now shifts to how KBFC will reshape their squad and leadership structure in the coming months amid one of the most turbulent periods in Indian football history.
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Squad Impact at a Glance
| Player | Status | Remaining Contract |
| Adrian Luna | On Loan (Overseas) | Until May 2027 |
| Noah Sadaoui | On Loan (Overseas) | Until May 2026 |
| Tiago Alves | Released | Contract Terminated |
| Jesus Jimenez | Released | Contract Terminated |
On New Year’s Day 2026, the club shocked its massive fanbase by announcing that Adrian Luna, the heart and soul of the team since 2021, would spend the next year on loan with an overseas club. While KBFC did not officially name the destination, industry sources confirm the Uruguayan playmaker has signed with a top-tier side in the Indonesian Super League.Luna, 33, recently signed a contract extension keeping him in Kochi until May 2027. However, with no competitive matches on the horizon in India, the move was described by the club as a "mutually agreed arrangement" to ensure the player maintains his professional rhythm.
Just 48 hours after Luna’s announcement, Noah Sadaoui—the man brought in to lead the post-Diamantakos attack—also secured a loan move. Having joined from FC Goa in 2024, Sadaoui had quickly become a fan favorite. His move to Southeast Asia (also reportedly Indonesia) means the Blasters have lost nearly 70% of their goal contributions from the previous season in a single week.
📉 Why is the "Yellow Army" Disintegrating?
The exodus is not due to a lack of loyalty, but a lack of football. The ISL was scheduled to begin in September 2025 but has been stuck in a legal and commercial stalemate.
Financial Hemorrhage: KBFC is reportedly losing upwards of ₹40 crore this season due to the absence of broadcast revenue and ticket sales. Loaning out high-wage foreign stars is a pragmatic survival tactic.
The "SOS" to FIFA: On January 2, senior Indian players including Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhingan released a video pleading for FIFA intervention, stating that Indian football governance is in "permanent paralysis."
Player Welfare: At their age, stars like Luna and Sadaoui cannot afford a gap year. The club’s CEO, Abhik Chatterjee, stated that the club would not "create hurdles" for players looking to protect their careers.
📋 The Depleted Roster: Who is Left?
The Blasters had already released Jesus Jimenez (to Poland) and Tiago Alves earlier in the window. With Luna and Noah gone, the foreign contingent is down to a skeletal crew including Dusan Lagator and Koldo Obieta, though their futures remain uncertain as the January transfer window progresses.
"Watching icons leave not because of form, but because the league cannot function, has bred anger and despair in equal measure," said a representative from the Manjappada fan group Kerala Blasters FC are facing one of the most challenging phases in their Indian Super League journey after confirming the departures of club captain Adrian Luna and attacking forward Noah Sadaoui, two players who played crucial roles in shaping the team’s identity over recent seasons. The exits come at a time when uncertainty continues to cloud the 2025–26 ISL season, with delays, administrative issues, and the absence of a clear competitive roadmap forcing clubs and players into difficult decisions. For Kerala Blasters, the loss of these two foreign stars is not merely a squad update but a moment that reflects the wider crisis affecting Indian football.
Adrian Luna’s association with Kerala Blasters began in 2021, a period when the club was striving to re-establish itself as a consistent title contender. The Uruguayan midfielder quickly became the creative heartbeat of the team, admired for his vision, work rate, and ability to dictate the tempo of matches. Over time, Luna grew into a leadership role and was handed the captain’s armband, symbolising the trust the club placed in him both on and off the pitch. His performances were central to Kerala Blasters’ attacking philosophy, often serving as the link between midfield control and forward momentum. For supporters, Luna was more than a foreign recruit; he was a symbol of stability and ambition.
The decision for Luna to leave, structured as a loan move overseas for the remainder of the season, was described by the club as a mutually agreed arrangement. With the ISL calendar remaining uncertain and competitive football at a standstill, the move allows Luna to maintain match fitness and continue his professional rhythm. While the club did not disclose the destination, reports suggest interest from clubs outside India eager to secure an experienced playmaker. Luna’s exit temporarily closes an important chapter in Kerala Blasters’ modern history and raises questions about leadership continuity once the league resumes.
Soon after Luna’s departure was announced, Kerala Blasters confirmed that Noah Sadaoui would also be leaving the club on loan. The Moroccan-American winger joined the Blasters in 2024 and added a new dimension to their attacking play with his pace, directness, and ability to stretch opposition defences. Though his time in Kochi was relatively short, Sadaoui became a valuable option in the final third, contributing both goals and assists while adapting quickly to the demands of Indian football. His departure further compounds the team’s immediate challenges, reducing attacking depth at a time when squad stability is already under strain.
The exits of Luna and Sadaoui cannot be viewed in isolation. They are part of a broader pattern emerging across the ISL, where prolonged uncertainty has forced clubs to prioritise financial sustainability and player welfare over long-term planning. Without clarity on fixtures, broadcast commitments, or revenue flows, clubs have found it increasingly difficult to retain foreign players who depend on regular competition to sustain their careers. Loan moves and temporary exits have become a pragmatic solution, even if they disrupt team cohesion and fan sentiment.
For Kerala Blasters supporters, the news has been met with disappointment and concern. The club boasts on
e of the most passionate fan bases in Indian football, and players like Adrian Luna had forged a deep emotional connection with the Yellow Army. Social media reactions following the announcements reflected both gratitude for the players’ contributions and frustration over circumstances beyond the club’s control. Many fans see the departures as a reminder of how off-field instability can directly impact on-field ambitions.
From a tactical perspective, the absence of Luna leaves a significant creative void. His ability to control possession, unlock defences, and lead pressing movements will be difficult to replace in the short term. Similarly, Sadaoui’s departure reduces options on the wings, limiting the team’s attacking variations. The coaching staff now face the challenge of rethinking tactical structures while awaiting clarity on when competitive action will resume.
Kerala Blasters management, in their statements, emphasised respect for the players’ professionalism and reiterated their commitment to rebuilding once conditions stabilise. The club is expected to explore new signings or internal promotions when the transfer window and league schedule become clearer. However, rebuilding will require more than just replacements; it will demand restoring confidence among players, staff, and supporters during a period of uncertainty.
The situation also highlights a critical moment for Indian football governance. The ISL has played a major role in raising the profile of the sport in the country, but the current crisis threatens to undermine that progress. Player exits, disrupted seasons, and financial instability risk eroding trust among stakeholders. For clubs like Kerala Blasters, which have invested heavily in infrastructure, fan engagement, and talent development, the stakes are particularly high.
As Indian football navigates this turbulent phase, the departures of Adrian Luna and Noah Sadaoui stand as powerful symbols of the challenges ahead. While both players may yet return when stability is restored, their exits serve as a reminder that sustained growth in football requires not only talent on the pitch but also strong, reliable structures off it. For now, Kerala Blasters must look forward, adapting to change while holding on to the identity that has made them one of the most iconic clubs in the country.
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