PAUL POGBA broke down in floods of tears as he signed for Monaco after his 18-month drug ban.
The former Juventus and Manchester United midfielder, 32, collapsed his head into his hands as he penned a two-year deal.
Paul Pogba is overcome with the realisation of his return
MANACOHe will finally play domestic football in France[/caption]
The French World Cup winner hasn’t played since failing a doping test in August 2023 and being suspended a month later.
He’s been free to find a club since March this year – and let out all his emotion after sealing his first-ever deal with a home-country club.
In a statement on their website, the Ligue 1 club announced: “AS Monaco are delighted to announce the arrival of Paul Pogba. The French World Champion has signed a 2-season deal, and is now tied to the Principality until 30 June 2027.”
Pogba was suspended following a random test after Juve played Udinese on the opening day of the 2023-24 season.
He was initially banned for four years – but that was slashed by 30 months on appeal last October.
The four-time Serie A winner pledged to ultimately resume playing – and insisted last week he “still feels like a kid”.
Pogba’s contract with Juve was terminated by mutual consent last November.
Two months after that, he appeared to hint at a THIRD spell with the Red Devils.
Pogba reflected on his long-awaited comeback
MANACOThe midfielder reckons he’s mentally and physically ready[/caption]
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Pogba teased United fans with an Instagram post.
He shared a cartoon drawing of himself next to Old Trafford ace Amad Diallo – with BOTH players in Red Devils’ kit.
Pogba sent speculation spiralling by adding the words: “Let’s see what’s coming…”
And it’s understood he also hoped to attract interest from the Bundesliga as well as Juve’s major rivals in Serie A.
Instead, however, Ligue 1 runners-up Monaco have swooped.
The Old Trafford academy product left United for his first stint with Juve in 2012.
Four glittering years later, Pogba returned to the Red Devils for a then-British record fee of £89million.
But his Premier League form was more erratic than electric.
Pogba did help Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils win both the Europa League and League Cup in 2016-17.
But he reunited with Juve via a four-year deal and free transfer in July 2022, only to fail a drug test 13 months later
He was found to have taken banned substance dehydroepiandrosterone, which boosts testosterone and can improve endurance.
GettyPogba failed a test in August 2023 and hasn’t played since the following month[/caption]
But Pogba’s suspension was cut last autumn when the Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted his case it “was not intentional”.
Now the 91-cap star is revving up for a top-level return.
Just days ago, as he neared his Monaco move, Pogba said: “I’m mentally and physically ready, and I’m eager to start again.
“I’m 32, but I still feel like a kid.”
Pogba also criticised Juve for rejecting his pleas for help.
He told French TV channel TF1: “I asked to get a fitness coach. I had the right, and I was always part of the team.
“They were not very kind to me, they did not support me, and I was shocked. I did not understand why.”
“I thought I was at war with anti-doping authorities.”
PAThe United academy product returned for a second spell from 2016-2022[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
