The 1.95m (6’5″) PSV academy graduate joins as a free agent and completes the Blues’ international contingent
Bengaluru FC have accomplished the signing of Dutch centre-back Menno Koch forward of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season, Khel Now can solely reveal.
The 32-year-old arrives as a free agent after his contract with Norwegian facet Sarpsborg 08 expired in June, and turns into the Blues’ fifth and ultimate international signing of the window.
“Menno Koch, who was enjoying for Sarpsborg 08 in Norway’s top-tier Eliteserien final season, has agreed to ply his commerce exterior Europe for the primary time in his profession and picked Bengaluru FC as his subsequent vacation spot,” a supply monitoring the switch instructed Khel Now.
The transfer comes as golf equipment finalise their squads forward of the October 10 begin. The AIFF confirmed on August 19 that the season will proceed with 13 golf equipment after Diamond Harbour FC missed the ultimate deadline to clear their participation charge.
Who’s Menno Koch?
Koch got here by way of PSV Eindhoven‘s academy after beginning out at RKSV Heeze, and made his skilled debut for Jong PSV in 2013. He made one senior look for PSV, with mortgage spells at NAC Breda and FC Utrecht giving him his first common first-team soccer. He was a part of the PSV squad that received the Eredivisie in 2014-15.
The NAC Breda mortgage turned everlasting in 2017, and he spent two seasons there earlier than transferring to Belgian facet KAS Eupen in 2019, the place he turned an everyday with 40 league appearances throughout two campaigns.
Bulgaria adopted. Koch joined CSKA Sofia in 2021 and stayed three and a half seasons, making 62 league appearances and scoring six targets. He captained the facet, received the Bulgarian Cup in 2021, and performed by way of the UEFA Convention League group stage towards opponents together with AS Roma and Bodø/Glimt.
He left CSKA in 2024 for Sarpsborg 08, the place he made 54 league appearances throughout the 2024, 2025 and 2026 seasons earlier than his contract ran out in June.
Koch represented the Netherlands from U16 by way of to U20 stage and was a part of the U17 facet that received the European Championship. He didn’t go on to earn a senior cap.
What he brings to Bengaluru
At 1.95m (6ft 5in), Koch offers Bengaluru a defender who can be among the many tallest gamers within the league. He’s a pure centre-back who can even fill in at right-back.
Extra related will be the vary of leagues behind him. 4 international locations throughout the Netherlands, Belgium, Bulgaria and Norway, plus European group-stage soccer, is a special profile from most international defenders arriving within the ISL. This would be the first time he has performed exterior Europe.
The listing of forwards he has come up towards carries some weight too. Over his years within the Eredivisie, Koch marked Robin van Persie, Frenkie de Jong, Luuk de Jong, Dušan Tadić, Donny van de Beek and Kasper Dolberg. Whether or not that interprets right into a settled Bengaluru again line is what Pep Muñoz has signed him to search out out.
Bengaluru FC’s switch window
Bengaluru go into 2026-27 with a rebuilt squad underneath Muñoz. The Spaniard took cost halfway by way of final season and took the Blues to fourth, and that is his first window with a full pre-season to work with.
Their first international signing was Spanish winger Borja Martínez, who joined from AD Alcorcón on a one-year deal. Portuguese centre-back Sandro Embalo adopted from Indonesian membership PSBS Biak Numfor on a season-long deal.
Argentine midfielder Manuel de Iriondo, 33, arrived from Krasava ENY, and Montenegrin striker Mihailo Perović got here in after a productive marketing campaign with Persebaya Surabaya in Indonesia.
On continuity, captain Sunil Chhetri has prolonged for one more yr and younger defender Harsh Palande has signed a brand new deal working to 2029.
There was motion the opposite method as effectively. Rahul Bheke has joined Mohun Bagan SG and Namgyal Bhutia has moved to Chennaiyin FC. Bengaluru have additionally parted methods with Braian Sánchez and Sirojiddin Kuziev.
What occurs subsequent?
With Koch in, Bengaluru’s international enterprise is completed. Golf equipment can register six international gamers underneath the ISL’s club-led framework, with a most of 4 within the enjoying XI at any time. Bengaluru have chosen to go together with 5.
Who’ve Bengaluru FC signed?
Dutch centre-back Menno Koch, 32, who joins as a free agent after leaving Norwegian facet Sarpsborg 08.
Which golf equipment has Menno Koch performed for?
He got here by way of the PSV academy and has performed for Jong PSV, PSV, NAC Breda, FC Utrecht, KAS Eupen, CSKA Sofia and Sarpsborg 08.
Has Menno Koch performed for the Netherlands?
He represented the Netherlands from U16 to U20 and received the U17 European Championship, however by no means earned a senior cap.
What number of international gamers will Bengaluru FC have?
5: Menno Koch, Borja Martínez, Sandro Embalo, Manuel de Iriondo and Mihailo Perović. ISL guidelines enable six registered foreigners, with 4 permitted within the XI.
When does the ISL 2026-27 season begin?
October 10, 2026, with 13 golf equipment.
For extra updates, comply with Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; obtain the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and be part of our neighborhood on Whatsapp & Telegram.
