Benjamin Mendy new club: former Man City defender resumes football career with French club FC Lorient

Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has made an instant return to club football just five days after being cleared of rape and attempted rape.

The French defender will resume his football career with Ligue 1 outfit FC Lorient and he has signed a two-year contract with the club.

The 28-year-old had been accused of raping a 24-year-old woman in October 2020. He also faced  charges of raping a 29-year-old woman at his home two years earlier.

The footballer denied all charges and was found not guilty by a jury of six men and six women at Chester Crown Court.

Mendy has not played a professional football match since his arrest in August 2021 and his last appearance at senior level came in Manchester City’s opening day defeat to Tottenham Hotspur two years ago.

But how has the footballing world reacted to Benjamin Mendy’s return to the game and when did he leave Manchester City?

Here is everything you need to know.

What have FC Lorient said about the signing of Benjamin Mendy?

FC Lorient confirmed the signing of Benjamin Mendy with a statement which said: “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.”

Mendy could be in line to make his debut in a pre-season friendly against Bournemouth on 5 August, while the left back could make his competitive appearance against reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain on 13 August.

When did Benjamin Mendy join Manchester City?

Benjamin Mendy arrived at Manchester City in August 2017 for a reported fee of £52 million and he signed a six year contract.

The former Monaco defender became the most expensive defender in football history at the time of his arrival and was tipped to have a huge career at the Etihad.

The Frenchman’s Manchester City career came to a halt in August 2021 when he was charged with rape and attempted rape.

The defender was released from his contract with Manchester City upon the expiration of his contract in June 2023.