Former France international Paul Pogba has signed a two-year deal with AS Monaco as he looks to revive a once-brilliant career disrupted by injuries and a doping suspension.
The Ligue 1 club confirmed the long-anticipated move on Saturday via its website and in a video posted on X, featuring the 32-year-old midfielder wearing Monaco’s iconic red-and-white kit.
Pogba, who previously starred for Juventus and Manchester United, will be playing in France’s top flight for the first time. Monaco, who finished third in Ligue 1 last season, are in contention for a Champions League spot, pending qualification—a stage Pogba now has the chance to return to.
Having developed his skills at Le Havre before signing with Manchester United at age 16 in 2009, Pogba rose to become one of the most highly regarded midfielders in the world. He returned to United in 2016 for a then-world record fee of €105 million ($116 million), after a successful stint at Juventus.
However, in recent years, Pogba has made headlines more for off-field issues than for his performances. In 2023, he tested positive for testosterone and was initially handed a four-year ban by Italy’s anti-doping court. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced the suspension to 18 months, citing unintentional use of a contaminated supplement. Juventus subsequently terminated his contract by mutual agreement.
Despite those setbacks, Pogba’s talent remains undeniable. He has scored 39 goals in 226 appearances for Manchester United and played 91 times for France, including scoring in the 2018 World Cup final when Les Bleus defeated Croatia 4-2.
Kylian Mbappé, Pogba’s former national teammate, welcomed the move with an Instagram story featuring the words “Pogback” and “Daghe Munegu” — a local expression meaning “Go Monaco.”
Pogba returned to Juventus in 2022 as a free agent, but injuries limited him to just 12 appearances. Monaco’s decision to bring him in signals the club’s ambition to mount a stronger title challenge next season after fading in the latter part of the last campaign.
Source: Africa News
