PANAJI: FC Goa captain Mandar Rao Desai has turned down a three-year contract from the Goan franchise and instead opted to join his former coach, Sergio Lobera , at Mumbai City FC Lobera has agreed to a deal to coach Mumbai, and is now keen to have senior players he has worked with in the past join him. Moroccan midfielder Ahmed Jahouh and Senegalese defender Mourtada Fall are understood to be on top of his list, but it’s Mandar he has managed to convince first.According to sources, Mandar has already signed the offer letter from Mumbai, and will complete transfer formalities in the next 48 hours.Mandar’s departure will be a huge blow for Goa. The Super Cup champions have been negotiating with their captain for a while now. From an initial three-year contract and plenty of back and forth, there was some sense that they could agree to terms. But talks came to a halt when Mandar said he wouldn’t discuss any further and made his preference for Mumbai clear."Mandar’s decision to join Mumbai is not about money. The difference in what Goa offered him and what he will be paid at Mumbai (both with three-year contracts) is not significant. It’s clear that he wants to continue his association with Lobera," said one official.Mandar is the Indian Super League’s (ISL) highest-capped player for a single franchise. A fan favourite in Goa, he has been with the team since the inception of the ISL in 2014. His return leg semifinal show against Chennaiyin FC at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda was his 100th appearance for the club.He was handed a special jersey for his achievement by club president Akshay Tandon prior to the clash. Now, that appears to have been his last game for the club.Why Mandar chose to give up on Goa captaincy in the AFC Champions League group stage — a first for any Indian club — and follow in Lobera’s footsteps is not difficult to understand.Mandar believes the Spanish tactician gave his game a new direction after he shifted him from a regular winger to a left-back, a decision that resulted in a national call-up from coach Igor Stimac.Mandar’s exit from Goa will free up space for another player to step into his boots. Saviour Gama looks to be the most natural replacement, having been on the bench for a while now and giving a good account of himself whenever thrown into action. Goa have also signed Sanson Pereira from Salgaocar SC, while Sarineo Fernandes is likely to be promoted to the first team from the development squad.