Done Deal: Eliaquim Mangala Joins Valencia

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Eliaquim Mangala’s tenure at Manchester City has finally come to an end.

The veteran centre-back was out of favour at the Etihad Stadium and didn’t count for Pep Guardiola, but now he will get the chance to enjoy a fresh start since he has joined Valencia ahead of the 2019/20 season. Mangala will undoubtedly bolster Valencia’s defensive line in a season where Los Che will also feature in the UEFA Champions League.

Valencia manager Marcelino García Toral had already requested the club to sign a fourth central defender to compete with Ezequiel Garay, Gabriel Paulista and Mouctar Diakhaby. This will also be Mangala’s second stint at Mestalla since he previously played for Los Che in the 2015-16 season on loan from Manchester City.

The 28-year-old French defender has signed a two-year deal at the Mestalla Stadium and will be part of the Liga giants until the end of the 2020-21 campaign. He joins goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and forward Maxi Gomez as Valencia’s biggest signings ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Mangala spent last season on loan from City at Everton, but he suffered a gruesome injury and missed most of the 2018-19 Premier League season. Now he gets a new chance to get back to his best form on Spanish soil.