Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has made a significant move in his football career, signing a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Lorient. This comes just five days after he was cleared of rape charges at Chester Crown Court. The 29-year-old left-backs contract with Manchester City had expired in the summer, prompting his transfer to the French club.
Mendy’s legal journey had been fraught with controversy, with a trial in January resulting in his acquittal on six counts of rape and one of sexual assault. He faced a re-trial for two counts of rape and attempted rape, but the jury failed to reach verdicts. However, last week, Mendy was finally acquitted of all charges, paving the way for his return to football.
During his time at Manchester City, Mendy established himself as one of the world’s best full-backs and was crucial in the club’s Premier League victory in his debut season. He also played a pivotal role in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph in Russia.
However, Mendy’s footballing career took a hit as he last played competitively in August 2021, following his arrest and five months in custody before the initial trial in August last year. His legal team emphasised that his life in football in the UK was effectively over due to the portrait painted during the case.
Despite the challenges he faced, Mendy received support from various high-profile players, including the Netherlands forward Memphis Depay and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, who showed solidarity on social media after his acquittal.
Now, Lorient welcomes Mendy back to French football with open arms, highlighting his impressive achievements, including being a 2018 World Cup champion and a four-time Premier League winner with Manchester City and Monaco.
Lorient, who finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season, will kick off their new season with a pre-season friendly against Bournemouth on 5 August, followed by a league campaign opener against champions Paris St-Germain on 13 August. Mendy’s addition to their squad is expected to bolster the team’s performance and add depth to their defensive lineup as they seek to make an impact in the upcoming season.
