Aïssa Mandi signs with Levante UD after 2026 World Cup and Lille departure
Algerian international defender Aïssa Mandi, 34, has signed a free-agent contract with Spanish second-division club Levante UD until June 2028. The 122-cap national record holder returns to La Liga after two seasons at Lille, where he was voted best player for 2025-2026. Mandi, who started for Algeria at the 2026 World Cup, brings extensive experience from Real Betis and Villarreal. He becomes Levante’s second summer signing, filling defensive gaps left by departed starters.
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Aissa Mandi Joins Levante Training After World Cup Break
Aissa Mandi, the Algerian center-back, has joined Levante's training sessions for the first time since signing as a free agent from Lille. The 34-year-old defender returned from a special vacation period after playing in the 2026 World Cup with Algeria, where they were eliminated in the round of 32 by Switzerland. Mandi was welcomed by his new teammates with a guard of honor, and the club shared the moment on social media. He has signed a contract with Levante until June 2028. This will be his third stint in Spain's La Liga, having previously played for Real Betis for five seasons and Villarreal. Levante is preparing for their official season debut on August 16 against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium.
Aïssa Mandi Joins Levante Training After World Cup Break
Levante's new signing, Algerian center-back Aïssa Mandi, has joined his first training session under coach Luís Castro after a special holiday period following the 2026 World Cup. Mandi, 34, was eliminated in the round of 32 with Algeria against Switzerland on July 7. He was welcomed by teammates with a guard of honor. The defender signed as a free agent from Lille until June 2028. This marks his third La Liga stint after playing for Real Betis (five seasons) and Villarreal. Levante is preparing for their season opener against Espanyol on August 16 at RCDE Stadium.
Algeria defender Aïssa Mandi announces international retirement
Algerian national team defender Aïssa Mandi, aged 34, has announced his international retirement via social media, following the Fennecs' round-of-16 elimination at the 2026 World Cup against Switzerland (2-0). Mandi, who also recently transferred from LOSC to Levante, ends a career spanning over a decade with Algeria. He is the most capped player in Algeria's history with 122 appearances and 8 goals. His tenure includes the historic 2019 Africa Cup of Nations triumph. His announcement comes days after fellow star Riyad Mahrez also retired from international duty.
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Aïssa Mandi Joins Levante on Free Transfer After Lille Departure
Algerian international defender Aïssa Mandi, 34, has signed a two-year contract with Spanish second-division club Levante until 2028. The central defender, who previously played for Real Betis and Villarreal, arrives on a free transfer after leaving Lille, where he was voted the club's best player for the 2025-2026 season by fans. Mandi, the most capped player in Algeria's history with 122 international appearances, already has 206 La Liga matches to his name. At Levante, he will play under coach Luis Castro and becomes the club's second summer signing, following Enzo Bardeli, who is known in France for his time at Dunkerque.
Aïssa Mandi joins Levante on free transfer after Lille departure
Algerian international defender Aïssa Mandi, 34, has signed a two-year contract with Spanish second-division club Levante until 2028. The free transfer follows his departure from Lille, where he was voted the club's best player for the 2025-2026 season by fans. Mandi, who holds the record for most caps in Algeria's history (122), returns to La Liga after previous stints with Real Betis and Villarreal, accumulating 206 appearances in the Spanish top flight. At Levante, he will play under coach Luis Castro and becomes the club's second summer signing after Enzo Bardeli, who previously played for French club Dunkerque.
Aïssa Mandi Joins Levante on Free Transfer After Lille Departure
Algerian international defender Aïssa Mandi, 34, has signed a two-year contract with Spanish second-division club Levante until 2028. The free transfer follows his departure from Lille, where he was voted best player of the 2025-2026 season by fans. Mandi, who has 122 caps for Algeria (a national record), previously played for Real Betis and Villarreal in La Liga, accumulating 206 appearances in the Spanish top flight. At Levante, he reunites with coach Luis Castro and becomes the club's second summer signing after Enzo Bardeli, who played for French club Dunkerque.
Aïssa Mandi Becomes Levante's Second Summer Signing
Levante has announced the signing of Algerian international center-back Aïssa Mandi as a free agent, making him the club's second acquisition of the summer transfer window. The 34-year-old defender, who turns 35 in October, has signed a contract until June 2028. Mandi previously played for Lille last season, reaching the UEFA Europa League semifinals, and was an undisputed starter for Algeria in the 2026 World Cup held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, where his team reached the round of 16 before losing to Switzerland. This marks Mandi's third stint in Spain's top division, having previously played for Real Betis (five seasons) and Villarreal. He brings extensive experience with 206 La Liga appearances, 7 UEFA Champions League matches, and 22 UEFA Europa League matches. Mandi will undergo a medical examination and join Levante's preseason training under coach Luís Castro, reinforcing a center-back position weakened by the departures of Matías Moreno and Alan Matturro.
Aissa Mandi Becomes Levante's Second Summer Signing
Levante has announced the signing of Algerian international center-back Aissa Mandi as a free agent, with the contract running until June 2028. The 34-year-old defender, who turns 35 in October, joins after playing for Lille last season, where he reached the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. Mandi was a starter for Algeria at the 2026 World Cup held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, reaching the round of 16. This marks his third experience in Spain's La Liga, having previously played for Real Betis (five seasons) and Villarreal. He has accumulated 206 La Liga matches, 7 Champions League appearances, and 22 Europa League appearances. Mandi will undergo a medical examination and join coach Luís Castro's training at the Ciudad Deportiva de Buñol. He fills a gap left by the departures of Matías Moreno and Alan Matturro.
Aïssa Mandi Becomes Levante's Second Summer Signing
Levante has announced the signing of Algerian international center-back Aïssa Mandi as a free agent, with a contract running until June 2028. The 35-year-old defender joins from Lille, where he played in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals last season. Mandi, who was an undisputed starter for Algeria in the 2026 World Cup (hosted by Mexico, the US, and Canada), brings extensive La Liga experience, having previously played for Real Betis (five seasons) and Villarreal. He has accumulated 206 La Liga appearances, seven Champions League matches, and 22 Europa League games. Mandi will undergo a medical and join Luís Castro's squad at the Ciudad Deportiva de Buñol, filling the gap left by departed starters Matías Moreno and Alan Matturro.
Aïssa Mandi Joins Levante UD After 2026 World Cup
Algerian international defender Aïssa Mandi has signed with Spanish club Levante UD as a free agent, returning to La Liga after two seasons with Lille OSC. The 34-year-old, who played 40 matches last season for LOSC, agreed to a contract until June 2028. Mandi rejoins Levante following his participation in the 2026 World Cup with Algeria. The announcement was made by Levante UD on July 16, 2026, via social media and an official statement. Mandi previously played for Real Betis and Villarreal in Spain before his stint in France.