Odisha FC have been among the busiest clubs in the transfer market over the past three weeks, completing a remarkable nine signings — and doing so without spending a single transfer fee. The headline arrival is Georgian midfielder Giorgi Aburjania, who joins from Saudi Arabia's AL-Rbeea Jeddah on a free transfer. The experienced international adds a continental flavour to the squad and represents a significant coup for a club clearly intent on bolstering its options for the season ahead.

Alongside Aburjania, Odisha have raided the Indian Super League for domestic talent. Ritwik Das and towering centre-back Stephen Eze both arrive from Jamshedpur, while Imran Khan makes the move from Chennaiyin. Kerala Blasters have seen two players depart for Odisha, with goalkeeper Sachin Suresh and young midfielder Nihal Sudeesh both signing on free transfers. Nandha Kumar Sekar completes the ISL exodus, joining from East Bengal FC.

The club has also cast its net beyond India's top flight. Brazilian forward Everton arrives from Indonesian side Garudayaksa, adding firepower and flair to the attacking department, while Hrithik Tiwari joins from Goa to further deepen the squad's options.

What stands out most about Odisha's window is the sheer volume of business conducted at zero cost. Nine free transfers represent an extraordinary piece of squad-building, particularly when the calibre of players involved — an experienced Georgian midfielder, a Nigerian-born centre-back in Eze, and a Brazilian attacker — is considered. The club appears to have been strategic and opportunistic in equal measure, snapping up out-of-contract talent across multiple positions.

The arrivals fill clear needs. Sachin Suresh provides goalkeeping competition, Eze and Imran Khan strengthen the defensive and midfield spine, and Everton offers a new dimension in attack. With Aburjania pulling the strings in central midfield and Das providing energy and versatility, Odisha's squad looks significantly stronger on paper than it did a month ago. Whether this wholesale recruitment drive can translate into on-field cohesion remains to be seen, but the ambition behind the window is undeniable.