- Mendy had been frozen out by second tier French club Lorient this season
- The defender had been attempting to rebuild his career at the club
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Former Manchester City left back Benjamin Mendy has completed a move to Swiss side FC Zurich after being frozen out at Lorient.
Mendy joined Lorient in July 2023, with the left back signing for the French outfit 23 months after his final appearance for City.
He had been attempting to rebuild his career after being cleared of six charges of rape and sexual assault in January 2023, before a July re-trial cleared him of a further rape charge and one of attempted rape.
Mendy featured in 15 games during an injury-affected 2023-24 campaign after signing for Lorient, who were relegated from Ligue 1 last season.
The 30-year-old has been frozen out by manager Olivier Pantaloni this season as the club aim for promotion back to France’s top flight.
Mendy, who last featured for the club back in May, has now completed a move to FC Zurich.
Former Man City defender Benjamin Mendy has completed a move to Swiss side FC Zurich
Mendy has left French side Lorient after being frozen out at the Ligue 2 club this season
Mendy played 15 times in Ligue 1 during the 2023-24 campaign as Lorient were relegated
The Swiss side welcomed the arrival of the 2018 World Cup winner and confirmed Mendy has signed a deal until 2026.
‘We are of course very pleased and also a little proud that we were able to sign such a high-calibre player,’ said Ancillo Canepa, FC Zurich president.
‘He will be an important support, especially for our young players.’
FC Zurich are currently eighth in the Swiss Super League, but are just seven points behind leaders Basel in a closing congested table.
During his time at Lorient, Mendy had been targeted by following the club’s relegation last season.
Mendy was told to ‘get away’ from the club and referred to as a ‘rapist’ by the angry supporters, as well as being booed heavily as he left the stadium after Lorient won on final day of the season against Clermont in May.
Mendy was the subject of legal proceedings from August 2021 until July 2023, when he was cleared of all charges.
He had been charged with eight counts of rape, one of attempted rape, and one of sexual assault, but he pleaded not guilty on all charges.
Former Manchester City left back Mendy pictured looking emotional in July 2023 after being cleared of rape and attempted rape at Chester Crown Court
Mendy, pictured in 2018, played his 75th and last game for Manchester City in August 2021
Mendy was cleared of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault in January 2023, before a re-trial six months later found him not guilty on all outstanding charges.
Man City suspended Mendy in August 2021 after he was first charged by police, with the club also suspending his £100,000-a-week wages.
Mendy – who spent four months in prison while on remand – was later let go by City in June 2023 following the expiration of his contract.
He took Man City to an employment tribunal after being acquitted of rape, with a judge ordering the Premier League champions to pay him £8.5m in unpaid wages following the tribunal.
Mendy, following the decision, declared he could ‘finally put this difficult part of my life behind me’.
