Former Man City Star's Mansion for Sale to Avoid Bankruptcy After Legal Victory

Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has put his exclusive Cheshire mansion on the market for £5 million. Mendy, who was cleared of charges of raping and sexually assaulting women during parties at the property, needs to sell the house to avoid bankruptcy. The 29-year-old is now playing for French Ligue 1 club Lorient after facing two criminal trials. The mansion, located in the village of Mottram St Andrew, is described as one of the finest contemporary homes in Cheshire, boasting six bedroom suites, a range of amenities including a swimming pool, gym, and home cinema, set in over 1.75 acres of grounds.

Estate agents Savills, handling the sale of the property, highlighted the impressive features of the house, including an enormous principal bedroom suite, a sports pitch, and outside entertaining areas. The mansion was purchased by Mendy from cricketing legend Andrew Flintoff in 2018 for £4.8 million. Flintoff had acquired the property from former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes, who had obtained planning permission for a complete rebuild. The house is situated in an exclusive area known as Cheshire's 'golden triangle', near prominent private schools, restaurants, and countryside walks.

Mendy was acquitted of multiple charges of rape and sexual assault in trials held at Chester Crown Court. Despite being cleared, his hard-partying lifestyle, which included frequent clubbing and hosting gatherings with young women, was revealed during the legal proceedings. Manchester City suspended Mendy following his arrest in August 2021 and terminated his contract in June this year. Mendy is now selling his mansion and pursuing unpaid wages from the club to settle a tax debt of nearly £800,000, as per a hearing at the High Court. The court granted Mendy time to sell the property before the case proceeds further.