The 2017–18 season was Bengaluru FC's fifth season as club since its establishment in 2013. This was club's first season in Indian Super League.
Background
In 2016–17 season Bengaluru FC got mixed results. Club failed to defend their league title, finished fourth in the I-League. The club did well in the Federation Cup, won their second cup title in four years by defeating Mohun Bagan 2–0 in final. Bengaluru FC finished the season well by advancing to AFC cup knock–out stage by beating Maziya S&RC in a must win game and keeping hope alive to better their previous seasons record in AFC Cup where Bengaluru FC finished runners–up.
On 11 May 2017, it was announced by the Indian Super League organizers, Football Sports Development, that they would be inviting bids for new teams to join the league for the upcoming season. Bengaluru FC had submitted a bid from Bengaluru. On 12 June, it was officially announced that Bengaluru FC (for Bengaluru) and Tata Group (for Jamshedpur) had won the bids for the new teams.
Transfers
Due to the Indian Super League regulation each club is allowed to retain a maximum of two Indian players over the age of twenty-one (21). On 30 June, Bengaluru FC announced they are retaining the captain Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh. Bengaluru FC also retained defenders John Johnson and Juanan. Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh parted ways with the club. He was retained by Mumbai City. Bengaluru FC announced signing of Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu on 5 July. Winger C.K. Vineeth switched the side. He joined Kerala Blasters. On 11 July Bengaluru FC announced signing of Spanish midfielder Dimas Delgado who last played for A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers. On 17 July Spanish winger Antonio Dovale was signed for a season. On 21 July, the club announced retention of under-22 players, defender Nishu Kumar, midfielder Malsawmzuala and striker Daniel Lalhlimpuia for a season.
In ISL draft held on 23 July 2017, Bengaluru FC retained goalkeepers Lalthuammawia Ralte and Calvin Abhishek, midfielders Lenny Rodrigues, Alwyn George and Harmanjot Khabra. Bengaluru FC added eight new players from draft, goalkeeper Abhra Mondal, defenders Joyner Lourenco, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Zohmingliana Ralte and Collin Abranches, midfielder Boithang Haokip and striker Thongkhosiem Haokip.
Eight players from Bengaluru FC were signed by other clubs in the draft. Goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya signed by Mumbai City. Defender Keegan Pereira, midfielders Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Shankar Sampingiraj were signed by Atlético de Kolkata. Defenders Rino Anto and Lalchhuan Mawia were signed by Kerala Blasters and Pune City respectively. Striker Seminlen Doungel and defender Gursimrat Singh were signed by NorthEast United.
Bengaluru FC announced signing of midfielders Bidyananda Singh and Robinson Singh for two years on 31 July. On 7 August the club announced signing of Spanish forward Braulio Nóbrega for a season. Bengaluru fc added their academy graduates defender Prashanth Kalinga and forward Leon Augustine to the squad for 2017 AFC Cup knockout rounds. On 17 August Bengaluru FC announced signing of India national football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu from Norwegian side Stabæk FC for an undisclosed transfer amount.
On 29 August Bengaluru FC announced signing of Venezuelan international striker Miku for two years. The club announced signing of Spanish winger Edu García for one year on 3 September.
During winter transfer window, Bengaluru FC released injured striker Braulio Nóbrega and signed another Spaniard Daniel Segovia on 15 February 2018, in a short term deal till the end of the season. Bengaluru also agreed to the transfer for Edu García to China League One side Zhejiang Greentown for an estimated transfer fee for $150,000. In the process, Bengaluru FC became the first club receive a transfer fee from a foreign club. Bengaluru signed Spanish midfielder Víctor Pérez Alonso as a replacement on a short team deal for the rest of the season.
In
Out
Pre-season and friendlies
Bengaluru FC, having completed the squad selection at 2017–18 ISL Players Draft, arranged a 10-day pre-season training camp in Murcia, Spain before facing North Korean side April 25 Sports Club. During the tour, the blues were scheduled to face Segunda División B side UCAM Murcia CF and UAE Pro League side Baniyas Club in the friendlies. Later, a friendly against FC Cartagena was added as well. Bengaluru FC lost all three friendlies. During the AFC cup campaign, Bengaluru FC played India national under-19 football team and won with a solitary goal from Daniel Lalhlimpuia.