Aashir Salim Joins Odisha FC Until 2028 in Major Move for Indian Football

Odisha FC have completed the signing of 20-year-old central midfielder Aashir Salim, securing the Indian-origin youngster on a permanent transfer from Qatari club Al-Sailiya SC. 

Salim has signed a two-year contract that will keep him with the Kalinga Warriors until the end of the 2027-28 season. The move represents an important addition to an Odisha FC squad undergoing a significant rebuild. Rather than opting for another short-term signing, the club have invested in a young midfielder whose development has taken place within Qatar's football system and who now has an opportunity to establish himself in the Indian Super League.

Salim's transfer also marks the beginning of his first experience in the ISL. Welcoming the move, the midfielder expressed his excitement about starting a new chapter in Indian football.

Born in Doha to Indian parents, Salim has spent virtually his entire football development within the Qatari system. His formative years were influenced by the technical and athletic structures associated with Aspire Academy before he joined the Al-Sailiya SC youth setup in November 2021.

He progressed through the club's age-group system before moving into the U-23 setup and eventually making his senior debut in the QFA Cup in March 2024. He was also part of the Al-Sailiya side that won the Qatari Second Division. The midfielder continued to gain senior exposure during the 2025-26 season, making two appearances in the QSL Cup and accumulating 134 minutes. Although his senior sample remains relatively small, the experience of developing in Qatar gives him a different footballing background from most young Indian players.

In the summer of 2025, Salim had signed a five-year professional contract with Al-Sailiya that was scheduled to run until 2030. Odisha FC's successful acquisition therefore required the club to navigate an existing long-term commitment before bringing him to India.

A Midfielder Suited to Odisha’s System

Standing at 1.74 metres and primarily operating as a central midfielder, Salim is capable of playing both as a holding midfielder and in a box-to-box role. His biggest strengths are understood to be his press resistance, positional awareness and ability to distribute the ball under pressure. He is comfortable receiving possession in congested central areas and using his body orientation and quick movements to escape pressure.

His passing range is another important component of his game. Salim can progress the ball through central areas with ground passes and change the direction of attacks from deeper positions. His tactical education also allows him to drop into deeper defensive positions and contribute to build-up play. These characteristics could make him particularly useful to Odisha FC head coach T.G. Purushothaman, whose system places significant demands on the central midfield pairing.

Purushothaman's 4-2-3-1 requires midfielders capable of protecting possession, maintaining defensive discipline and moving the ball efficiently during transitions. Salim's ability to remain composed under pressure could therefore provide Odisha with another option in the double pivot.

The signing comes at a time when Odisha FC are attempting to reshape their squad following a difficult 2025-26 campaign. The club finished 11th among 14 teams in the ISL regular season, prompting a broader rethink of their recruitment strategy. The club have increasingly focused on younger players with technical potential rather than relying exclusively on established domestic names. Salim fits that strategy perfectly.

His arrival also adds depth to a midfield unit that has undergone considerable change. Experienced players such as Rohit Kumar, Puitea and Hitesh Sharma provide established options, but Salim gives the coaching staff another technically proficient midfielder who can develop into a more important role over time.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the transfer is Salim's eligibility. Despite being born and developed in Qatar, Salim retains Indian citizenship and holds an Indian passport. That means he does not face the same eligibility complications associated with overseas players of Indian origin who do not possess Indian citizenship.

His development in Qatar could consequently make him an interesting prospect for Indian football beyond his club career. The player is eligible for consideration for India's U-23 and senior national teams, subject to selection. The transfer could also encourage ISL clubs to look more closely at Indian passport holders developing within football systems overseas. Players emerging from academies and professional structures in West Asia and Europe could provide Indian clubs with access to different technical and tactical backgrounds while remaining eligible as Indian players.

For Salim, however, the immediate priority will be adaptation. The ISL will present a different competitive environment, and consistent playing time will be essential to his development.

Odisha FC have handed him a two-year window to prove himself, grow into the league and potentially become an important part of the club's midfield for years to come.

At 20, Salim has plenty of room to develop. His journey from Doha to Bhubaneswar now enters its most important phase—and Odisha FC will hope their latest acquisition can become one of the foundations of their rebuild.