For months, he was an object of ridicule as a result of a rape suit filed against him, few weeks ago, he was on the verge of being condemned for the case, and a few days ago, he was freed of all charges and a few hours ago, he’s back to where he belongs – on the field of play.
In what is seen as a career revival for acquainted Benjamin Mendy, French Ligue 1 side, Lorient Football Club has signed former Manchester City defender, Benjamin Mendy on a 2-year-deal
The 29-year-old was cleared at Chester Crown Court on Friday of raping a woman and attempting to rape another.
The trial followed a previous one in January when Mendy was cleared of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault.
Mendy became the world’s most expensive defender when Man City signed him from Monaco for £52m in 2017.
The Longjumeau-born won the English Premier League in his first season at the Manchester club before being part of the France team that won the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018.
He however played his last competitive game in August 2021, playing for Manchester City against Tottenham Hotspur.
The former Olympique de Marseille star was arrested later that month and remanded in custody for five months before going to trial for the first time last August.
Jurors failed to reach verdicts on two counts of rape and attempted rape, prompting the re-trial at which he was acquitted last week.
Lorient, who finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season, announced Mendy’s return to French football in a statement: “Benjamin Mendy, world champion 2018, quadruple winner of the Premier League under the colours of Manchester City and French champion of Ligue 1 with Monaco, comes to reinforce the Lorient workforce for this new season. Welcome Benjamin.”
The French club play at Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly on 5 August and will begin their league campaign at champions Paris St-Germain on 13 August.