French World Cup winner Benjamin Mendy makes a football return, signing a two-year contract with French Ligue 1 side Lorient after facing a turbulent three years during which he stood trial for rape charges.
The left-back was found not guilty, but by the time the verdict was delivered, his contract with Manchester City had already expired. The Premier League champions suspended him in 2021 after he faced charges from the police.
Mendy endured nearly three years away from football, missing out on Premier League titles, FA Cup, and Champions League triumphs with Manchester City, who secured their first-ever Champions League title in June.
Now, Mendy is ready to revive his career and has chosen Lorient as the ideal place to reclaim his top form. He hopes to get back to playing at his best for the French club.
Previously, Mendy faced six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. However, in January, jurors failed to reach a verdict on two of the charges, leading to a second trial. In the recent trial, Mendy was acquitted of all charges, bringing immense relief to the player and his supporters.
Benjamin Mendy makes his return to football by signing as new Ligue1 side Lorient player, done deal ????????
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2023
Mendy signs until June 2025 as new Lorient left back after he was found not guilty by Chester Crown Court. pic.twitter.com/9bkWiiQ4iZ
After the verdict, Mendy expressed his gratitude, saying “Alhamdulillah,” which means “praise be to God” in Arabic. His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, stated that Mendy was delighted with the jury’s decision and thanked them for focusing on the evidence presented during the trial.
