Kerala Blasters FC have bolstered their squad ahead of the 2025–26 season by signing Spanish midfielder Matías Hernández from Gokulam Kerala FC, the club confirmed on Tuesday. The move comes as the Blasters continue to reshape their roster in preparation for the upcoming Indian Super League campaign.
Hernández becomes the third foreign addition to the Blasters’ squad in recent days, following the arrivals of Marlon Roos Trujillo and Kevin Yoke. The recruitment drive reflects the club’s intent to add balance and depth across key areas of the pitch after a period of uncertainty surrounding the league’s structure and scheduling.
A right-footed defensive midfielder, Hernández has been brought in as a replacement for Dusan Lagator, who mutually parted ways with the club earlier this year. Standing at 186 cm, the Spaniard is expected to offer physical presence in midfield, particularly in aerial duels, while also providing tactical flexibility by dropping into a centre-back role when the team is defending.
Kerala Blasters CEO Abhik Chatterjee highlighted the strategic importance of the signing. “Matías is a player who brings clarity and discipline to the centre of the pitch. His profile adds strength to our midfield unit and gives us more options in how we manage different phases of the game,” he said.
Born in Salamanca, Spain, Hernández spent much of his early career competing in the lower divisions of Spanish football. His journey then took him to Southeast Asia, where he joined the reserve side of Malaysian Super League outfit Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Football Club, based in Brunei Darussalam. It was there that he made a lasting impression, emerging as a cult hero after scoring the winning goal in the Brunei FA Cup final against Indera Sports Club.
Hernández moved to India in September last year, signing for I-League side Gokulam Kerala FC. He started both matches for the Malabarians in the IFA Shield, featuring against Mohun Bagan Super Giant and United SC, although the team suffered defeats in both games.
With uncertainty surrounding the I-League calendar, Hernández opted for a switch to the ISL, which is scheduled to kick off on February 14. Kerala Blasters are expected to open their campaign against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Kolkata, where the Spaniard could make his first appearance in yellow, anchoring a midfield that is being carefully rebuilt for the season ahead.
