Veteran France keeper Mandanda joins Rennes
In this file photo taken on December 12, 2020 Marseille's French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda is seen during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and AS Monaco at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, southeastern France. A figure, a legend, and the terms are not exaggerated: with the departure to Rennes of Steve Mandanda, its captain and record holder of matches played, OM turned a page in its history on July 6, 2022, leaving the goalkeeper to embark on a probable last adventure in Brittany. (Photo by CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP)
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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.
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