On Friday, Benjamin Mendy was both relieved and happy after being declared not guilty of rape. Then he made headlines again as he officially joined FC Lorient for two seasons.
It's quite a move by FC Lorient, who took a gamble a month ago by pursuing this deal even before the verdict of Mendy's trial was known. The fact that Benjamin Mendy has the same agent as FC Lorient's coach Régis Le Bris could also play a role.
However, FC Lorient wasn't the only club that wanted to try their luck. According to Footmercato, The French club beat out some tough competition, including interest from Burnley through Vincent Kompany, as well as Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos.
Mendy was released by Man City when his contract expired at the end of June, last playing for the club in August 2021.
