Ivorian defender Eric Bailly has rejoined Spanish club Villarreal on an 18-month contract, following his release from Turkish club Besiktas.
The 29-year-old Ivory Coast centre-back had previously played for Villarreal during the 2015-16 season before joining Manchester United for £30m.
Bailly’s exit from Besiktas came after he was one of five players excluded from the first-team squad due to poor performance and incompatibilities within the team. His agent, Rafaela Pimenta, disputed the decision, stating that Bailly had done nothing wrong and that his rights were being violated.
During his time at Manchester United, Bailly struggled with injuries and form, making only 113 appearances over seven seasons. Despite this, he remains a talented and experienced defender, and his return to Villarreal provides him with an opportunity to revitalise his career.
Bailly was not included in the Ivory Coast squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which will kick off on January 13, 2024, in Abidjan.