Mumbai: Mumbai City FC have signed Mandar Rao Desai ahead of the upcoming 2020-21 Indian Super League season. As per reports, he has penned a two-year contract with an option of extending for a further season. The club Unveiled the signing on social media on Wednesday(October 14).
📢 ऐका हो ऐका! 📢
The wait is over. Say hello to our newest Islander, @mandar17dessai! 👋#MandarZhalaMumbaikar 🔵 pic.twitter.com/ACaPu9sMN1
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) October 14, 2020
“I am delighted to have joined a huge club like Mumbai City FC, and I’m really looking forward to committing the best years of my career to Mumbai City. It was an easy decision for me to make with the ambitious project we have here at Mumbai City, and a chance to reunite with head coach Lobera in my new colours certainly helped. I’m looking forward to linking up with my new teammates, and I hope we have a successful year for us and for our fans back home in Mumbai,” said Mandar on the move.
The 28-year-old Goan defender started his career with the I-League side Dempo before moving to FC Goa on loan and featured for them for the last six seasons, winning the League Shield and the Super Cup while scoring six goals as well as 11 assists. A full international since 2019, Mandar has represented India five times.
Newly-appointed head coach Sergio Lobera explained on the signing, “A player of Mandar’s calibre is going to bring in a lot to this team that we’re trying to build here at Mumbai City. He has the traits of a leader amongst many other qualities, which will certainly help us. We are very happy to have him here at Mumbai City and we’re confident that he can be a vital figure for us, both on and off the pitch.”
