Spanish club Levante announced on Thursday the signing of Algerian international Aissa Mandi, player of the 'Desert Warriors' national football team, on a free transfer. The club issued a press statement on its official website saying: 'Levante has reached an agreement with Algerian international Aissa Mandi to join the squad and bolster its defensive line, under a contract extending until June 2028.' The statement added: 'The player will undergo medical tests before joining coach Luis Castro's squad in the coming days... Welcome, Aissa!'

Mandi, 34, returns to the Spanish league after a previous stint with Real Betis and Villarreal, following the expiration of his contract with French side Lille. Mandi participated in the 2026 World Cup in North America with the Algerian national team before the team was eliminated in the round of 32. Born on October 22, 1991, in Châlons-en-Champagne, France, Mandi is considered a highly experienced defender in European football.

The Algerian defender graduated from the Stade Reims academy before moving to the Spanish league in the 2016–2017 season to join Real Betis. During five seasons with Betis, Mandi played in the Europa League before moving to Villarreal in the 2021–2022 season, where he continued to enhance his continental experience by participating in the UEFA Super Cup, the Champions League, and the Europa League. In the 2024–2025 season, the Algerian player had a new experience with French side Lille, playing 40 matches during the past season: 29 in the league and 11 in the Europa League.