Ex-Man City player Benjamin Mendy joins Lorient days after being cleared of r3pe
Benjamin Mendy will attempt to relaunch his career back in France after being found not guilty of a string of s3x offences.
The former Manchester City defender, released at the end of his contract, has signed a two-year contract with Lorient in Ligue 1.
Jurors returned not guilty verdicts on one count of r3pe and a count of attempted rape at the end of a retrial at Chester Crown Court last week.
The 28-year-old had been acquitted of six rapes and one s3xual assault rating to four women during a first trial, which lasted four months, but faced a retrial on two separate counts.
Mendy wept in the dock last week when he was cleared of all charges. His lawyer, Eleanor Laws KC, had said that the left back’s career in English football was ‘over’ and he has now sealed a move to Lorient, who finished mid-table last season.
Mendy, who believes he is in shape to perform at the highest level, could be back on English soil next month when Lorient travel to Bournemouth for a pre-season friendly.
A Lorient statement read: ‘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.’
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He is lucky to have his career back