Benjamin Mendy, the World Cup-winning footballer, has inked a two-year contract with French soccer club Lorient. This comes shortly after he was acquitted of rape and attempted rape charges by a jury. The 29-year-old defender left Manchester City when his contract ended last month, having not played for the team since 2021 when they secured the Champions League title…
Lorient officially confirmed the signing, stating that Mendy, a decorated player with achievements like winning the Premier League four times with Manchester City and securing the Ligue 1 title with Monaco, has bolstered their squad for the upcoming season.
Earlier this year, Mendy faced a six-month trial that ended with him being cleared of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault related to four young women or teenagers. However, the jury could not reach verdicts on counts of rape and attempted rape, leading to a retrial, which ultimately resulted in his acquittal.
With the legal issues behind him, Mendy is now ready to resume his football career with Ligue 1 club Lorient. Notably, he had been the most expensive defender in the Premier League when Manchester City acquired him from Monaco for £52 million in 2017. He enjoyed a successful stint with the English club, winning three titles and being part of France’s triumphant 2018 World Cup squad. Mendy’s contract with Lorient is set to run until June 2025, marking his return to the sport after being released by Manchester City in June.
