BENJAMIN MENDY has returned to football in a shock transfer just days after he was cleared of rape.
The French World Cup winner has signed for Ligue 1 side FC Lorient until June 2025.
Mendy left Man City by mutual consent last month at the expiration of his contract, having not played for the Premier League and Champions League winners since 2021.
A statement from his new club, based in Brittany, read: “FC Lorient is pleased to announce today the signing for two seasons of French international left-back Benjamin Mendy (29).
“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!”
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FC Lorient’s website crashed following the announcement that they had signed the left-back.
Mendy was later pictured at their training ground posing with the club’s dark orange jersey after taking a medical.
Lorient moved to sign the former Monaco and Marseille defender a month ago, according to Le Parisien.
The 29-year-old was cleared of rape and attempted rape at Chester Crown Court last week.
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He smiled for the camera just hours after a jury cleared him of attempting to rape a woman aged 29 as she showered at his home in October 2018.
He was also found not guilty of raping a 24-year-old woman in his bedroom at his £4.8m mansion in Prestbury, Cheshire, two years later.
On Friday evening he celebrated his freedom with pals by going out.
And he turned up at the Pitts complex in Ardwick, Manchester, on Sunday for a kickabout with strangers.
An onlooker said: “Mendy turned up and asked some lads if he could join in.
“They couldn’t believe it – getting to play against a Premier League star and a World Cup winner.
“He had a laugh and just enjoyed himself and was happy to shake everyone’s hand at the end and sign autographs.”
Mendy last played for City against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2021 and was suspended by the club later that month when he was arrested.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
