Liverpool favorite agrees to unlikely transfer as eight-month exile ends after unacceptable lie

It has been 255 days since Mamadou Sakho last played in a competitive game of football.

The former Liverpool defender’s last start came 402 days ago in a 5-4 defeat to Lyon in May 2023, while a six-minute substitute appearance for Montpellier in a 3- -0 away to FC Lorient on October 1 would prove to be his only one. the advent of the 2023/24 season.

After falling out of favor with the Ligue 1 club in the 2022/23 campaign, he was restricted to just 15 league appearances – just seven of which were starts – and was left as an unused substitute on 17 occasions. With his fortunes failing to improve at the start of the 2023/24 season, his time at Montpellier ultimately came to an untimely and unpleasant end.

READ MORE: ‘I’d be lying’ – Anthony Gordon drops another big Liverpool hint after transfer talks

READ MORE: Luis Diaz breaks silence on Liverpool transfer as Barcelona, ​​PSG rumors continue

Sakho left the club in November following an altercation on the training ground with manager Michel Der Zakarian. L’Equipe initially reported that the Frenchman took offense after his boss did not award him a foul in training. Later, confronted by his trainer, who allegedly called him a “cry baby”, it was claimed that the 34-year-old man grabbed him and knocked him to the ground.

Having made just six appearances since Der Zakarian’s appointment at the club in February 2023, Sakho and Montpellier subsequently terminated his contract less than two weeks after their November altercation.

“For 10 days, a media frenzy has been created around the club around a ‘showdown’ between Michel Der Zakarian and Mamadou Sakho,” said Montpellier. said in a statement. “Contrary to what was said and conveyed, no preventive dismissal was taken against Mamadou Sakho.

“After 10 days of reflection, the parties have agreed in good faith to terminate the contractual relationship between them. MHSC would like to thank Mamadou Sakho for his involvement during his time at Montpellier and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”

However, Sakho, who would deny any responsibility for the clash, hit out at the club on social media when he confirmed his own exit.

“You have to know how to walk away from the table when respect is no longer served,” he wrote on Instagram. “Following the incident that took place last week at the training center, for which I decline any responsibility, I have decided today 02.11.2023 to end the collaboration with Montpellier Herault Sports Club.”

Sakho has remained a free agent since leaving Montpellier, failing to join a new club after the January transfer window opened. However, the 34-year-old completed an unlikely return to football eight months after he last kicked a ball in the competition.

The former Liverpool defender has joined Georgian side Torpedo Kutaisi. RMC Sport claim the 34-year-old has agreed a one-year contract with the club, with his deal also offering the option of an additional year.

Torpedo Kutaisi, who are currently second in the Erovnuli League and will compete in next season’s Europa Conference League from the first qualifying round, are managed by former Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean.

The Georgian club have confirmed they have agreed terms with the former France international after two months of negotiations an official statement from the club on their website.

“Mamadou Sakho’s contract has been agreed,” they wrote. “After Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Montpellier, the next club in Mamadou Sakho’s career is Kutaisi Torpedo.

“The 34-year-old footballer will arrive in Tbilisi on June 12 and undergo a medical check-up. An official agreement signing ceremony is planned at New Vision University on June 13 at 3:00 p.m.

“Negotiations between Mamadou Sakho and Kutaisi Torpedo lasted about two months and the parties agreed on all the details of his transfer. The player will not only help Kutaisi Torpedo win titles, but will be a kind of ambassador in the international football community.

“Mamadou Sakho will take an active part in the implementation of the club’s economic projects, as well as in various public and charitable activities. He will also be involved in the development of the Torpedo Kutaisi Academy together with club manager Steve Kean, he will be a mentor to young players and a guarantor of their professional development.”

Sakho will be hungry to make up for lost time in Georgia after eight months without a club. However, his departure from Montpellier is not the first time he has found himself ostracized at a club.

While at Liverpool he established himself as a firm fan favorite but missed the end of the 2015/16 season after being banned for doping, although this was later overturned and apologized to by the World Anti-Doping Agency .

However, he will never play for the Reds again after being sent home early from a pre-season tour of the United States by Jurgen Klopp for disciplinary reasons. He was said to have almost missed his departure flight before skipping a rehabilitation session and arriving late to a team table and was banished to under-23 training on his return to England.

After rejecting summer interest from Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, he vented his frustrations in a cheeky Snapchat post at 3am after recovering from injury.

“It’s now been three weeks that I’ve been fit to play. They don’t want me to play with the second team (segondo, U23) lol,” he wrote. “I’m still hard at work as a Scouse Soldier! I’m not talking yet because I want to talk on the ground… I’ll talk soon for the people who support me and don’t understand the situation (emoji).

“I’m still happy living in my country Liverpool (emoji) with my family, I hope to get a chance to play soon to give my best as I always try to do! I accept my situation but I can’t accept the lie….the fans deserve to know the truth! Thank you for your support (emoji) 6 six months keep calm. Good night all! You’ll never walk alone! (emoji).”

In January 2017, the defender got a late hint as he left on loan to Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day. The move was then made permanent late in September 2017 when he joined the Eagles for £26 million. Their fourth bid of the summer for the defender, Liverpool have compromised their initial £30m price tag to move Sakho on.

Initially a success at Selhurst Park, the Frenchman made 75 appearances in his four-and-a-half years at the club. However, often plagued by injuries, just six of those came in his final 2020/21 campaign.

Then returning to France with Montpellier, Sakho has now seen spells with Liverpool, Palace and the Ligue 1 side end with a whimper. As he belatedly recovers in Georgia, he will hope his fortunes belatedly improve in an unfamiliar environment.