Former Manchester City and France left-back Gael Clichy signs 18-month deal with Swiss outfit Servette… where ex-Arsenal team-mate Philippe Senderos is sporting director!
- Swiss side Servette confirmed Gael Clichy has signed a deal until June 2022
- Clichy, 35, was a free agent after leaving Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir
- The move sees him join up with former Arsenal team-mate Philippe Senderos
- The duo joined Arsenal in 2003 and were Gunners team-mates for seven years
Former France defender Gael Clichy has signed for Swiss club Servette where long-time Arsenal teammate Philippe Senderos is sporting director of his hometown club.
The Geneva-based outfit announced that Clichy, 35, has signed a contract through until June 2022, and joins a side that is currently sat at the bottom of the 10-team Swiss Super League with just one win in eight games.
Clichy was able to sign for Servette outside of an official transfer window as a free agent after his contract at Istanbul Basaksehir expired in the summer after helping the Turkish side claim their first ever league title.
Former Man City, Arsenal and France defender Gael Clichy has signed for Swiss club Servette
The Geneva-based side announced that Clichy has signed a contract through until June 2022
Clichy spent three years in Turkey after bringing a six-year spell at Manchester City – where he won two Premier League titles in 2011-12 and 2013-14 and played 203 games for the club – to an end in 2017.
Clichy told the club’s official website: ‘It is a great pleasure to sign for Servette. It is an exciting challenge and I hope I can bring my experience and give my all on the pitch to help this club progress.
‘I have already been with the group for some weeks. I am eager to wear the club colours as soon as possible.’
Clichy (right) will join up with former team-mate Philippe Senderos (second from right)
Senderos added: ‘We are very happy with the arrival of Gael at the club. Having been close to him during my playing career, I know all his qualities and his great professionalism.
‘He is going to bring his experience of the very highest level to a group in which he is already very well integrated.
‘His knowledge of the demands of the very highest level will be beneficial for our youngest players who will benefit from his leadership.’
Clichy won two titles at Manchester City after leaving Arsenal for the Etihad Stadium in 2011
Senderos and Clichy both joined Arsenal in 2003, ahead of their Invincibles season, with the full-back eventually departing the Emirates Stadium for the Etihad Stadium a year after the former centre-back had joined Fulham.
The news comes after Clichy – who also represented France on 22 occasions – was spotted at the grounds of French fifth-tier side Thonon Evian to partake in training in October.
Senderos spent one year in the MLS with Houston Dynamo before returning to Switzerland.
Clichy joins as a free agent after being let go by Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir
