Defending champions Mumbai City FC have announced the contract extension of their club captain and star defender Mourtada Fall until the end of the 2022-23 season.
The Senegalese defender joined Mumbai City FC in 2020 following his former head coach Sergio Lobera. The duo joined the Islanders from FC Goa and has been a stalwart for Mumbai City in such a short time. He was one of Mumbai City FC’s main players in their last season’s double. They became the first club to win the ISL Shield and then followed it up by winning the coveted trophy.
While things may have changed on the managerial end, one thing that has remained permanent is Mourtada Fall’s consistency in defence. The Senegalese has already made 13 appearances this season after being named captain. He has also scored twice this season and is also a huge threat from set-pieces.
Coming to his career at large, Fall started his career with Moroccan club Moghreb Tétouan, where he featured for three seasons and won the Botola Pro 1 campaign in 2011-12. He then had stints with Kuwait’s Al-Arabi SC. But soon returned to Morocco joining Wydad Casablanca. He had a great 2016-17 season with Wydad as he guided them to the Botola Pro league title and the CAF Champions League. He came to Indian shores back in 2018 when he joined FC Goa ahead of the 2018-19 Indian Super League season. He bagged the 2019 Super Cup with the Gaurs followed by the 2019-20 ISL League Winners’ Shield, all of this under Sergio Lobera’s guidance.
The 34-year-old is delighted to sign a new contract as he wants this season to end like the last one. “I am delighted to have extended my stay with the Mumbai City family. It’s been a wonderful journey with the club so far. We enjoyed a successful season last year, and we are hopeful of making this season a memorable one as well. Moreover, to lead a club like Mumbai City is a real honour for me,” Fall said after penning the contract extension.
He also thanked the coaching staff, his teammates and also the coach for believing in him. “The coach, support staff and players have shown great faith in me. I am really grateful for their support and I want to continue to give my best to this wonderful team. I look forward to making more great memories with the Club and hopefully, we will be able to share them with our fans in the stands soon,” Fall added.
“Fall is an exemplary character and is an excellent professional to work with. His leadership and experience both on and off the pitch are vital assets to us. He understands very well the responsibilities he has, not just as our captain but also as a Mumbai City player. He has shown to be one of the best defenders in the ISL over the past four seasons and I am very pleased that he has extended his stay with us,” Des Buckingham said after securing Mourtada Fall for the foreseeable future at Mumbai City FC.
