Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has signed a two-year contract with French club Lorient, just five days after being cleared of serious sexual offences. Mendy, who left City after his contract expired and had not played for the team since 2021, was recently acquitted of rape and attempted rape charges at Chester Crown Court in England.

The 29-year-old joined City in 2017 from Monaco for a reported fee of UK£ 52 million (US$ 67.2 million) and was part of three Premier League title-winning teams. Mendy had faced multiple charges over the past year but was found not guilty on several counts, allowing him to resume his professional career. He will now start his journey with Lorient, a club that finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season, under coach Regis Le Bris.