Gokulam Kerala sign fullback Muhammed Rafi from SC Delhi ahead of 2026-27 IFL season

Gokulam Kerala have signed fullback Muhammed Rafi from SC Delhi, the club confirmed on 19 August 2026, with the move coming ahead of the 2026-27 Indian Football League season.

The Kerala-born defender, from Muvattupuzha, joins Gokulam after spells with Hyderabad SC and SC Delhi in the Indian Super League and earlier development time with the Bengaluru FC reserves. Rafi missed the entire 2025-26 season for SC Delhi because of an ACL problem, failing to make an appearance for Tomas Tchorz’s side, and he left Delhi as a free agent before completing the transfer to Gokulam.

Gokulam arrive into the new campaign seeking to recover from a difficult 2025-26 IFL season; the two-time former I-League champions narrowly avoided relegation and conceded 21 goals during a shortened campaign, suffering heavy defeats including a 6-2 loss to Real Kashmir. The club were described as being just a few seconds away from relegation to the third division during that season.

Rafi is described as a tactically versatile defender who can operate as a centre-back and as a right-back, providing a positionally disciplined central presence when required. Gokulam’s coaching staff frequently shift defensive shapes depending on opponents, and Rafi’s adaptability is presented as a factor that can allow the team to alter formations without replacing personnel.

Under new IFL rules from the All India Football Federation, teams may field a maximum of three foreign players, and Gokulam’s acquisition of a reliable Indian defender is framed as enabling the club to allocate foreign slots to attackers and midfielders. The signing is therefore portrayed as carrying strategic roster implications beyond the backline.

Rafi’s pathway to Gokulam followed local scouting routes: he was reportedly discovered by the Malabarians while playing for the MA College team in the Kerala Premier League. The club’s recruitment approach has previously brought through players from local setups, with Emil Benny and Jithin MS cited as examples who moved from regional teams into the national top flight.

Having recovered from the ACL issue that sidelined him for 2025-26, Rafi will arrive at Gokulam aiming to re-establish himself and offer the squad additional defensive flexibility. As Gokulam target a strong comeback and aim to secure promotion to the Indian Super League, the club expect Rafi to play a major role in their plans for the 2026-27 IFL campaign.