Chennaiyin FC have taken another measured step in shaping their squad for the remainder of the season by securing the services of experienced Indian attacker Imran Khan.
The 30-year-old joins the Marina Machans until the end of the current campaign, bringing with him more than a decade of experience across the Indian football pyramid and over 130 senior appearances in domestic competitions. In a league where continuity, local depth and tactical reliability often determine success over the long haul, Chennaiyin’s decision to add a proven Indian professional reflects a clear intent to strengthen their core while maintaining flexibility across attacking positions.
A Familiar Face in Indian Football
Since making his professional debut in 2013, Imran Khan has quietly built a reputation as one of Indian football’s most dependable wide attackers. Born in Manipur, a region known for producing technically gifted and hard-working footballers, Khan has represented multiple top-flight clubs and featured consistently across the Indian Super League, I-League and domestic cup competitions.
Most recently, he was part of the Jamshedpur FC setup in the Indian Super League, where he played a valuable role in the team’s run to the semi-finals. Prior to that, he also had a stint with FC Goa, adding to his exposure within two of the league’s most tactically distinct environments. That journey has given him a rare level of adaptability an asset Chennaiyin will look to leverage as they balance youth, experience and squad rotation over a demanding schedule.
Primarily a left-winger, Khan is equally comfortable operating higher up the pitch or drifting into half-spaces to link play. His game has never been about flamboyance; instead, it is built around discipline, timing, and intelligent movement — traits that often go unnoticed but are vital in structured systems.
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For Khan, the move to Chennai also carries a personal dimension. He will once again work under head coach Clifford Miranda, a figure he has previously collaborated with during his career. That familiarity could help him settle quickly into the squad and adapt to Chennaiyin’s tactical framework without the prolonged bedding-in period new signings often require.
Speaking after completing the move, Khan expressed his enthusiasm for both the challenge and the opportunity.
“I am excited for the season to begin and for football to begin. This is all new for us and poses a strong challenge. I am also thrilled for the new project and adding a new chapter in my career with the Marina Machans. I have worked with Clifford Sir a few years ago, and so I am looking forward to reuniting with him,” he said.
That sense of motivation is significant. At 30, Khan enters what is often considered the prime phase of a footballer’s career — experienced enough to understand the demands of the league, but still physically capable of performing at a high level week after week.
Why Chennaiyin Wanted Him
Head coach Clifford Miranda made no secret of what attracted him to Khan’s profile.
“Imran is a good player to have, particularly with his left foot. He had a very good season last year and had a big and decisive influence on his team’s run to the semi-finals. Imran’s inclusion strengthens our squad. His experience will help us, especially on the wings. He has been around the circuit for some time now and gives us a different dimension while going forward. His ability to operate from half spaces is very effective and will help us attack in multiple dimensions,” Miranda explained.
That reference to “half spaces” is revealing. Modern attacking systems rely heavily on wide players who can move inside, combine with midfielders and create overloads rather than simply hugging the touchline. Khan’s intelligence off the ball and comfort in those pockets between defence and midfield make him well suited to this evolving style of play. For Chennaiyin, who are looking to sharpen their attacking transitions and improve their unpredictability in the final third, a player like Khan offers tactical variety without sacrificing balance.
Strengthening the Indian Core
Beyond the technical aspects, this signing also reinforces Chennaiyin’s Indian contingent an area of growing importance in a competition with strict squad regulations and heavy travel demands. A reliable Indian attacker allows the coaching staff greater freedom when selecting overseas players, while also ensuring continuity in domestic fixtures.
Khan’s professionalism and experience are also expected to have a positive impact in training, where his work ethic and understanding of match situations can help younger players develop. With Imran Khan set to link up with the squad immediately, Chennaiyin FC will hope that this move adds both stability and spark to their attacking unit as they prepare for the challenges ahead. It may not be the most glamorous signing of the season, but it could well prove one of the most valuable.
