Stade Rennais has signed France goalkeeper Steve Mandanda on a two-year contract from Olympique de Marseille, the Ligue 1 clubs announced on Wednesday. The 37-year-old, who still had two years left on his contract, leaves Marseille after 613 games -- a club record -- across two spells, the highlight of which was its league title success in the 2009-10 season. READ: Women's Euro 2022: England makes winning start in front of record crowd "Olympique de Marseille and Steve Mandanda have decided to go their separate ways by mutual agreement," the club said in a statement. "OM would like to sincerely thank Steve for everything he has brought to the club since joining us in 2007." Rennes finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season, qualifying for the Europa League.
Club legend Mandanda leaves Marseille for Rennes
Mandanda, who has 34 caps for France and served as understudy to Hugo Lloris during Les Blues' 2018 World Cup win, extended his contract at the Stade Velodrome in August 2020 to run until the end of the 2023-2024 season. But Marseille announced on Thursday (AEST) that he would depart earlier than anticipated, with the veteran goalkeeper joining Rennes. "Olympique de Marseille and Steve Mandanda have decided to separate by mutual agreement," read a statement on the club's website. "OM would like to sincerely thank Steve for everything he has brought to the club since 2007. With 613 games in the Olympian jersey, he has unquestionably become an Olympian legend. "The club wishes him the best for the future." Mandanda's mammoth appearances tally is the highest in Marseille's history, and every one of them came as a starter after he joined the side – initially on loan – from Le Havre in 2007. But the 37-year-old made just nine appearances, keeping five clean sheets, as Marseille finished as Ligue 1 runner-up last season, having lost his number one spot to former Real Betis and Roma goalkeeper Pau Lopez. While he spent 15 years on Marseille's books, Mandanda did spend one season in the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2016-2017 before returning to Stade Veledrome as a free agent.
Official | Steve Mandanda leaves Marseille for Rennes
Marseille have tonight announced the departure of legendary goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, with the 37-year-old terminating his contract and moving across the country to sign with Rennes on a two-year deal. The French international leaves after 612 appearances for OM, in a spell which began in 2008 and was only punctuated briefly by a year at Crystal Palace. During that time, he played a part in the league title win of 2010 as well as three Coupe de la Ligue wins. The World Cup winner still had another two years on his contract, but had lost his place under Jorge Sampaoli as the number one goalkeeper to the Spaniard Pau López, with Mandanda largely being limited to cup ties this past campaign. Rennes, meanwhile, were on the lookout for a goalkeeper with Alfred Gomis potentially moving on after the former Dijon has failed to convince as Édouard Mendy’s replacement, after the Senegal international’s move to Chelsea. GFFN
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