Benjamin Mendy finds new club as player returns to football after Man City exit

Benjamin Mendy has found a new team after agreeing to sign for Ligue 1 outfit Lorient following his release from Manchester City.

The 29-year-old had been a free agent since June 30 after his contract with Man City expired. And he has now opted to return to France to continue his career after spending six years in England.

The Frenchman joined Pep Guardiola’s side in 2017 from Monaco for £52million and went on to make 75 appearances for City. He hadn’t featured for the Premier League champions since August 2021 and is now embarking on a new chapter in Ligue 1.

Lorient confirmed that Mendy has signed a two-year contract with the club after passing a medical examination with a club statement announcing his arrival.

The statement read: “After having satisfied the traditional medical examination, Benjamin Mendy, world champion 2018, quadruple winner of the Premier League under the colors of Manchester City and French champion of Ligue 1 with Monaco in particular, comes to reinforce the Lorient workforce for this new season.

“The native of Longjumeau, who will wear number 5 with the Merlus, will take his first steps at Espace FCL today. Welcome Benjamin!”

Mendy has won 10 caps playing for France and won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018. However, he has not been called up to the squad in four years by head coach Didier Deschamps.

The footballer has been cleared to continue his career after he was found not guilty of one count of attempted rape and one count of rape, following a two-week trial at Chester Crown Court last week on July 14. 

The case was a retrial after Mendy was cleared of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against him at another trial in January this year.

Mendy could make his debut for Lorient against Guingamp in three days’ time and he will face familiar opposition next month when they take on Premier League side Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly on August 5.

Regis Le Bris’ side, who finished a respectable 10th last season, will then begin their Ligue 1 season away to champions PSG next month at the Parc des Princes.