Bengaluru FC announce the departures of Prabir Das, Pablo Perez, and Prince Ibara | ISL 2023-24
Bengaluru FC have announced the departures of Prabir Das, Prince Ibara, and Pablo Perez ahead of the 2023-24 Indian Super League season.
After spending six years with Atletico de Kolkata and subsequently, ATK Mohun Bagan, Prabir Das arrived in Bengaluru at the start of the season. Despite a rough beginning to his tenure, he has been an important part of Simon Grayson's side since the turn of the year. He appeared 16 times from a right wing-back position and helping his club reach another ISL final.
Reports suggest that the 29-year-old is leaving BFC to join their southern rivals Kerala Blasters FC for the upcoming campaign.
Meanwhile, Pablo Perez signed for the Blues in December from Spanish club Sporting Gijon. While he struggled to shoehorn his way into the starting lineup, Grayson utilized him as an impact substitute for the majority of the season.
He made just one start for Bengaluru FC, but came off the bench on 10 occasions in the Indian Super League, scoring once against Odisha FC. He also made three appearances in the Hero Super Cup, where Bengaluru FC were ultimately defeated in the finals by Odisha FC.
Prince Ibara, on the other hand, was signed in 2021. The Congolese footballer made a solid start in his first season, as he scored four times and assisted once. However, a long-term injury kept him out of the entire 2022-23 season.
Bengaluru FC set to refresh their squad ahead of the 2023-24 season
UPDATE: Midfielder Pablo Perez, striker Prince Ibara and defender Prabir Das are set to leave the Blues this summer.
The BFC family thanks them for their invaluable service, and for wearing our colours with pride, every single time. Good luck for the future! ❤
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Following a disappointing defeat in the ISL finals, defender Alan Costa parted ways with the club. Additionally, reports also suggest the likes of Sandesh Jhingan and Udanta Singh are set to join FC Goa for the 2023-24 season.
Grayson certainly relied on his squad depth on numerous occasions as he navigated his way through a difficult time early in the season. The depth also enabled him to adapt to different strategies posed by their opponents and change the system during a game.
However, with as many as six players on their way out, the Blues are revamping their squad in a bid to challenge the frontrunners yet again. Javi Hernandez has another year in his contract, but Roy Krishna, Aleksander Jovanovic, and Bruno Ramiers’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the season.
It will be interesting to see whether Bengaluru FC sign a new set of foreign players or extend the contracts of the current ones. Nonetheless, after a promising season, Grayson will want to go one step further and lift the ISL trophy this time around.