Sreenidi Deccan have strengthened their squad by completing the signing of Togolese centre-back Hadi Idrissou ahead of the 2025-26 I League season.
The 24-year-old defender joins the I League side on a free transfer as they look to add quality and depth, reinforcing their ambitions for a competitive campaign. The signing is part of Sreenidi Deccan’s broader recruitment strategy that aims at blending international experience with domestic talent.
Sreenidi Deccan endured a challenging campaign last season, eventually finishing ninth in the standings. The Hyderabad-based side struggled to convert performances into positive results across the season with consistency proving to be a major hurdle. The team conceded 37 goals in 22 matches, an average of 1.68 per game.
With lessons learned from last season, the Deccan Warriors will be keen to build a more balanced squad. The club’s recent recruitment, the signing of Hadi Idrissou, reflects their ambition to improve consistency and push for a stronger showing in the upcoming I League campaign. With preparations for the new season underway, the club will be hopeful that Idrissou will quickly settle in and make a strong impact in their quest for promotion to the Indian Super League.
The Journey Before Sreenidi Deccan
Born in Sokode, Togo, Hadi began his footballing journey in the youth setup of local club Liberty Sport d’Agbodrafo, eventually joining the senior side Liberty Sport, where he spent several years gaining valuable experience in a competitive environment. From there, he moved to Maranatha FC in July 2017, before joining AS Togo Port in 2018. These early years gave Idrissou valuable experience and exposure to different playing styles. The 2019/20 season saw Idrissou join Dynamic Togo, a club that became a stepping stone for his first move abroad.
His performances in the Togolese league caught the eye of scouts, and by 2023, he had secured a transfer to second-division club Difaa El Jadida in Morocco, which aimed for promotion to the Botola Pro League. While at the Moroccan club, he featured in the Botola Pro Inwi, Excellence Cup and Coupe du Trone Marocaine. This marked a new chapter for the international centre-back, who embarked on his first experience outside of Togo.
His performances earned him a transfer to FK Bylis in Albania in 2025, which brought him into the Kategoria Superiore, the top division of Albanian football. This move marked another chapter in his international journey. After building his career across clubs in Togo and then stepping into North African football with Difaa El Jadida, Idrissou’s transfer to FK Bylis was his first entry into European football.
He sharpened his skills by embracing the demands of top-flight European football, learning to adjust to a new tactical environment and facing new challenges. The move gave him the chance to grow and learn more, adapting to a different brand of competitive football and pushing himself beyond his comfort zone.
Idrissou’s Arrival: A Strategic Boost for Sreenidi
Idrissou’s experience across Togo, Morocco, Albania and now India brings a wealth of international experience and defensive discipline to Sreenidi Deccan’s backline. His presence addresses three major deficiencies that plagued Sreenidi last season: organisation, communication, and aerial dominance.
On the international stage, he has represented the Togo U23 national team, even captaining his side, a testament to his leadership qualities at a young age.
The arrival of Hadi Idrissou will add leadership, tactical awareness and calmness to Sreenidi Deccan’s backline. This is a strategic move by a club focused on consistency and long-term growth. By signing a player just 24 years old, the club can also look forward to building around a defender who not only strengthens their immediate defensive structure but also offers long-term stability. The Deccan club has secured a player with resale value. At 24, he is entering his prime years.
Clubs prefer younger players who can contribute long-term. Having captained the Togo U23 team, he brings leadership values. His stint in Albania’s Kategoria Superiore shows he can adapt to European football, which raises his profile. Investing in a young defender gives Sreenidi the chance to benefit both on the pitch and financially, should other clubs come calling in the future. Sreenidi Deccan has shown faith in youth at a position where clubs often prefer experience, and has chosen to invest in a player who already carries international exposure and leadership credentials.
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Indian clubs can take inspiration from Sreenidi Deccan’s decision to trust a young foreign defender like Hadi Idrissou. Indian Super League and I League sides often lean towards experienced signings. By signing a 24-year-old with international exposure, Sreenidi has shown that younger foreign players can bring both immediate quality and future value.
This approach allows clubs to develop talent, strengthen their squads, and potentially sell players later for a transfer fee, creating a sustainable cycle. If more Indian teams embrace this model, they can build stronger rosters while also positioning themselves as part of the global football market. Clubs need to blend younger and experienced signings.
Sreenidi Deccan’s signing of Hadi Idrissou is about building a solid defense. He brings leadership to a side aiming for a competitive season. This signing aims to address the defensive issues that plagued Sreenidi’s last season. Conceding regularly and struggling with defensive stability, there was a need for reinforcements to add composure to the backline.
Idrissou’s experience across multiple leagues and footballing cultures offers tactical maturity that can help stabilise the defence while guiding the younger domestic players around him. Sreenidi are focused on building a side that balances instant impact with long-term vision. The club gains both present defensive reinforcement and a player who can grow alongside the team’s evolving ambitions.
This season is crucial for the Deccan Warriors as they aim to get promoted to the Indian Super League.
Player Profile – Hadi Idrissou
Nationality: Togolese
Age: 24
Position: Centre-Back
Previous Club: FK Bylis
