Who is Matias Hernandez? Kerala Blasters signs new defender ahead of ISL season

Kerala Blasters FC have secured the services of Spanish defensive midfielder Matias Hernandez from Gokulam Kerala FC ahead of the ISL 2025-26 season.

The 28-year-old right-footer thrives as a holding midfielder, dictating tempo from deep, enforcing positional discipline, and providing a tenacious screen in front of the backline.

Renowned for his proactive reading of the game, Hernández wins an impressive average of 5.2 tackles per 90 minutes, excels in 50/50 duels with a 62% success rate, and ensures smooth transitions by recycling possession effectively.

Who is Kerala Blasters' new boy Matias Hernandez?

Born in Salamanca, Spain, on March 15, 1997, Hernández honed his craft in the competitive lower tiers of Spanish football before venturing abroad. He debuted professionally with CD Laredo in Third

Division, followed by stints at Gimnastica de Torrelavega and Salamanca CF UDS, where he featured for both the B team and first squad in 2021-22.

A loan to UD Formentera in 2023 saw him log 15 appearances in Spain's third tier, showcasing versatility. His international move came with DPMM FC in Singapore's Premier League (2023: 12 apps, 1 assist), building resilience in high-pressure environments. Arriving in India with Gokulam Kerala FC for the 2024-25 I-League season, he made 24 appearances, scoring once and providing two assists.

Standing at 1.86m, his aerial dominance, evident in a 68% win rate on headers, adds another layer, allowing him to cover full-back roles or drop into a back-three setup seamlessly. Off the ball, his passing accuracy hovers around 85%, underscoring his role in maintaining midfield balance.

Speaking on the signing, CEO Abhik Chatterjee said, "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 can also contribute in defensive roles when needed and we're happy to welcome him to Kerala Blasters. "

Hernández will integrate with the squad during pre-season camp, as Kerala Blasters fine-tune their preparations under head coach Ivan Vukomanovic ahead of ISL. The Blasters are also set to play their home matches at EMS Stadium in Kozhikode.