Mumbai City FC have officially announced that left-back Mandar Rao Dessai will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of this month, concluding a successful three-year stint with the Islanders.

The 31-year-old arrived at Mumbai City FC in October 2020, making the move from FC Goa. The Goan-born defender was an instrumental part of the Islanders’ side that created history by winning an unprecedented ‘double’ of the Hero ISL League Winners’ Shield and the Hero ISL Trophy in the 2020-21 campaign.

The following year, Mandar was named by the squad as one of the Club vice-captains and represented the Club in Mumbai City FC’s historic run at the 2022 AFC Champions League. The Club won two games and drew one as the Islanders went on to finish second in Group B.

Mandar went on to win his second League Winners’ Shield with the Islanders in the 2022-23 season as Mumbai City FC went on a rampaging 18-game unbeaten run to lift the league title in record-breaking fashion.

After 52 appearances across three memorable seasons, Mandar leaves as one of Mumbai City FC’s most decorated players.

Odisha FC announce the departure of four more players

Hero Indian Super League (ISL) side Odisha FC have announced the departure of four more players from their squad which includes goalkeeper Dylan D'Silva, defender Sebastian Thangmuansang, midfielder Osama Malik, and former captain Vinit Rai.

Among them, only Malik featured for Odisha FC during the Hero ISL 2022-23 campaign, while the others spent their time with other clubs on loan.

The Australian midfielder, who joined the Juggernauts in the summer transfer window, primarily played alongside captain Carlos Delgado in the centre-back position. He accumulated a total of 1102 minutes in 15 games in the Hero ISL. The 32-year-old quickly showcased his skills in the defense, making 21 tackles, 32 clearances, 9 blocks, and 14 interceptions.

Former captain Rai bid farewell to the club after six long years. The central midfielder was a constant presence at the heart of Odisha's midfield until January 2022, when he joined Mumbai City FC on loan. The 25-year-old made 70 appearances for the Juggernauts during his time with the club, scoring one goal. Rai spent the entire 2022-23 season on loan at MCFC, accumulating 453 minutes of playing time across 11 games and scoring two goals.

Meanwhile, D'Silva and Thangmuansang were part of the club's roster during the 2022 Durand Cup, but both were subsequently sent out on loan during the January transfer window. The 23-year-old goalkeeper joined the Juggernauts ahead of the 2021-22 season but featured only in two games for the Juggernauts, both of them came in the 2022 Durand Cup. Thangmuansang appeared in one game in the 2022 Durand Cup and made five appearances in the Hero ISL during the 2021-22 season.

The quartet is the latest to head towards the exit door after the departure of several other players, previously announced by the club. The Bhubaneswar-based club will be eager to rebuild their squad under new coach Sergio Lobera ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.