Former Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy has signed for Ligue 1 side Lorient on a two-yeardeal days after being acquitted of rape.

The 29-year-old France international was found not guilty of one count of rape and one of attempted rape by a British court on Friday.

In January, Mendy was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Mendy last played for City against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2021 and was suspended by the Premier League club later that month when he was arrested. City released him when his contract expired last month.

Lorient said in a statement that Mendy had passed a medical, and would wear the number five shirt.

Mendy became the Premier League’s most expensive defender when he joined City from Monaco for $67.28 million in 2017. He won three league titles with City and was a member of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad, without playing in the final.

Gvardiol fee

Manchester City have agreed a fee to buy Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig. The defender is understood to have completed the first part of medical on Wednesday and the deal is on the verge of being signed.

The Croatia international, a centre-half who can also play at left back, agreed personal terms with City a month ago. The 21-year-old has a contract at Leipzig to 2027, strengthening the German club’s hand in negotiations.

Manchester United are preparing a transfer bid for Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund and set to welcome Andre Onana for his medical. Coach Erik ten Hag has also bolstered his options by signing defender Jonny Evans on a short-term basis.

Pierre-Emerick Auba-meyang is poised to join Marseille on a free transfer from Chelsea.

The Ligue 1 club have agreed a deal with Chelsea and Aubameyang is set to sign the contract, with his medical scheduled for Thursday.

Chelsea have, thus far, let 12 players leave permanently, with Aubameyang set to become the 13th.

Alba in Miami

Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas told reporters on Tuesday that the club is signing Spanish defender Jordi Alba, another former Barcelona teammate of Lionel Messi.

Miami signed Messi and introduced him to fans on Sunday. The club also added Sergio Busquets, who played with Messi and Alba at Barcelona.

Alba, 34, is the captain of the Spanish men’s national team and left Barcelona this summer to be a free agent.

Written with inputs from Reuters, AP/PTI