Fijian superstar Roy Krishna has a new challenge in India

In a major boost to their attacking options, Odisha FC has secured the signing of Fijian forward Roy Krishna from Bengaluru FC ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League season. The announcement was made on July 17th, indicating the club’s determination to strengthen their squad for the upcoming domestic campaign.

Roy Krishna is no stranger to the Indian Super League, having been part of the league for four seasons. He initially joined ATK (now ATK Mohun Bagan) ahead of the 2019-20 season and quickly made his mark, finishing as the joint-highest goal scorer alongside Bartholomew Ogbeche and Nerijus Valskis. Krishna’s outstanding performances played a pivotal role in helping ATK clinch the Indian Super League title in his debut season.

The Fijian forward’s goal-scoring prowess and impact on the pitch continued in the following seasons, even after the merger of ATK with Mohun Bagan. His contributions to the club earned him the prestigious title of Best Footballer of the Year in 2021.

However, like many athletes around the world, Krishna faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. After recovering from the virus, he struggled to maintain his goal-scoring consistency, leading Mohun Bagan to sign Dimitri Petratos as their key striker. Consequently, Krishna decided to move to Bengaluru FC on a two-year deal.

While at Bengaluru FC, Krishna formed a crucial attacking partnership with Sivasakthi Narayanan under the guidance of coach Simon Grayson. Their collective efforts bore fruit as the Blues secured the Durand Cup and finished as the runner-up in both the Super Cup and the Indian Super League in the previous season.

With Odisha FC now securing the services of Roy Krishna, they are set to enhance their attacking firepower for the upcoming Indian Super League season. Krishna’s arrival adds to the momentum of the club’s major revamp, which includes the acquisition of former ISL-winning coach Sergio Lobera, defender Mourtada Fall, and midfielder Ahmed Jahouh from the League Winners Shield champions, Mumbai City FC.

The Fijian forward will be joining forces with Diego Mauricio, who played a pivotal role in Odisha FC’s Super Cup victory in 2023. Together, they aim to lead the team to more silverware and further strengthen Odisha FC’s position in the Indian Super League.

Krishna’s signing marks a significant step for Odisha as they now possess a potent attacking duo that can potentially pose a threat to any opposition defense in the league. With the right guidance and teamwork, Odisha FC is well-positioned to make a strong impact in the Indian Super League and contend for the title in the upcoming season.