UD Almeria strengthen back-line with signing of Houboulang Mendes
The 24-year-old Franco-Guinean becomes the second new recruit of this summer and moves from French top-tier team FC Lorient
Houboulang Mendes, who was born on 4 May, 1998, becomes UD Almería's second recruit of this summer ahead of the team’s return to the Spanish top flight. The right-back, whose main strengths are power and speed as well as his unrivalled experience -despite he is in his early twenties- in French top-tier Ligue 1. Mendes, who moves as a free agent after having played 38 games -36 as a starter- for FC Lorient, is the latest player to sign a new contract until 2026 with the Rojiblancos. The Franco-Guinean player is now in Almeria city waiting to start the pre-season.
Houboulang Mendes is a tall defender (1,84m) who can operate in two positions, both right-back and right-footed centre-back, a position he has play numerous times throughout his footballing career in the French league. Strength and speed, plus versatility and, above all, wide experience in one of the best leagues in the world, means that he is a player that will surely contribute to the team during the 2022/23 season in the Spanish top-tier LaLiga Santander.
After his contract with FC Lorient expired, the new Rojiblanco was an sought-after footballer by several French and Spanish top-flight clubs, however he opted to sign for UD Almeria in the end. Mendes becomes the second recruit this summer after the signing of Portuguese midfielder Gui Guedes, without forgetting the deal renewals of Alex Centelles and Rodrigo Ely, as well as the contract extensions of Babić and Alejandro Pozo who are now UD Almeria players that belong to UD Almeria following the activation of their respective option-to-buy clauses.