Veteran France keeper Mandanda joins Rennes after Marseille exit
Rennes (France) (AFP) – France goalkeeper Steve Mandanda signed a two-year deal with Rennes on Wednesday after reaching an agreement with Marseille to rescind his contract. The World Cup winner has spent most of his career at Marseille, making a record 613 appearances for the club since his arrival from Le Havre in 2007. “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.” The 37-year-old was under contract with Marseille until 2024 but spent much of last season as second choice to Pau Lopez. According to a source close to the matter, Mandanda underwent a medical in Rennes on Wednesday before finalising his move. He will compete with Senegal international Alfred Gomis for the starting role at Rennes. Mandanda, the long-time back-up to Hugo Lloris, has won 34 caps for France and was part of the winning World Cup squad in Russia four years ago. The Kinshasa-born keeper helped Marseille win the last of their nine Ligue 1 titles in 2010. He joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer in 2016 but returned to Marseille a year later.
Steve Mandanda agrees to join Rennes from Marseille
L’Équipe report this morning that Marseille’s Steve Mandanda has verbally agreed to join Rennes, with the goalkeeper’s move to Brittany now pending an agreement between the two clubs. Talks have now kicked off for the deal to take place, with Rennes having followed the French international’s situation for the last few weeks. Mandanda is under contract at OM until 2024,. The 37-year-old would be leaving the club after a 14-year-old spell, briefly punctuated by a year-long move to Crystal Palace, making 614 appearances in a period which included a Ligue 1 title and three Coupe de la Ligue wins. This past season, the Frenchman had been facing competition from the Spaniard Pau López, who played the vast majority of league games under Jorge Sampaoli as Mandanda was left with cup games. The World Cup winner is now set to join only his third French club, having started out his career with Le Havre. GFFN
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