ISL 2020-21: Mumbai City FC signs Mandar Rao Dessai on two-year contract

Mumbai City FC have confirmed the signing of defender Mandar Rao Dessai on a two-year contract but with an option of extending the same, the club announced on Wednesday. The experienced defender becomes the first player to join Mumbai City FC after the signing of new head coach Sergio Lobera.

The 28-year old Goan has all the experience under his belt and he would aim to bring his best to the table for Mumbai City FC. Dessai had been an integral part of FC Goa in the last six seasons and also led the team with aplomb as the club won the League Shield and the Super Cup.

Mandar makes a move from FC Goa along with coach Sergio Lobera, who was signed on Monday. Thus, Mandar should not take much time in hitting the ground running under the tutelage of Sergio Lobera as he has worked with him.

Meanwhile, Mandar Rao Dessai played a total of 100 matches in all the competitions for FC Goa in which he found the net on six occasions whereas he provided 11 assists.

Furthermore, the defender recently made his national debut in 2019 and has played five matches for the team. Mandar stated that he is delighted to join hands with Mumbai City and he will look to give his best to the club.

Mandar Rao Dessai said, “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.” 

Head Coach, Sergio Lobera said, “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.” 

Mumbai City FC had finished at the fifth place in the previous season and thus they had failed to make it to the last four of the tournament. Mandar Rao Dessai will look to add value to the team and take them all the way in the seventh edition of the Hero Indian Super League.

The ISL 2020-21 season will begin from November 21.