Former Man City and France left-back Gael Clichy signs 18-month deal with Swiss outfit Servette

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.

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 said: '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.'

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.'

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.