Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has signed with Ligue 1Lorient in his native France.

Mendy joins Lorient as a free agent after being released by City last summer. He has signed a two-year deal.

The World Cup winner was cleared of raping a woman and attempting to rape another at Chester Crown Court on Friday.

That followed a trial in January when Mendy was cleared of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault.

Mendy, 29, last played competitive football for City in August 2021.

Lorient announced this morning: "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."

Lorient will be in England on August 5 for a preseason friendly at Bournemouth.