It’s a somewhat controversial move, but in terms of football – it’s a potentially brilliant decision: Ligue 1 club Lorient have signed free agent Benjamin Mendy on a two-year contract.##NAJAVA_MECA_7377789##The former Manchester City left-back hasn’t played for two years since he was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. However, he was cleared of all accusations five days ago – and today, he’s already got a new club.Depay supports Mendy: “So now what?! Who will help this brother heal?”Before the law, Mendy is a free man and his name has been cleared. In practice, however, how his return to professional football goes remains to be seen.The 10-times French international last played a game on 15 August 2021 for Manchester City against Tottenham. Since that day, his life was turned on its head. He spent nearly two years behind bars and faced many more years in prison. 🚨 Benjamin Mendy signs for new club five days after not guilty verdict pic.twitter.com/VuJCpX0E31— SPORTbible (@sportbible) July 19, 2023 Mendy, who would have faced a lengthy jail term if convicted, had previously being cleared in January of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault following a six-month trial. But jurors in that trial had been unable to reach a verdict on two other counts, triggering the retrial that ended last week.The 29-year-old footballer was pleased and relieved to has been cleared by the court in England. And since his Manchester City contract officially expired on the last day of June, he was free to leave the United Kingdom and return to France.FC Lorient have signed Benjamin Mendy on a two-year contract until June 2025👏🏿 pic.twitter.com/0llxW3zQga— Ochieng’ Stephen (@soo_ochieng) July 19, 2023 The Brettany club officially announced Mendy’s arrival on Wednesday.”After having completed the medical examination, Benjamin Mendy, the 2018 World Champion, quadruple winner of the Premier League under the colours of Manchester City and French champion of Ligue 1 with Monaco, comes to reinforce the workforce of Lorient for this new season. The native of Longjumeau near Paris, who will wear number 5 with the Merlus.”
