Pogba signs 2-year deal with Monaco
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Paul Pogba returns to French football with Monaco, signing a two-year deal after overcoming injury and a reduced doping ban.
Pogba Joins Monaco on Two-Year Deal to Reignite Career
French World Cup winner makes Ligue 1 debut after doping ban, injury setbacks
Paul Pogba has signed a two-year contract with AS Monaco, marking a dramatic return to French football as he attempts to revive a career that has been hampered in recent years by injuries and a doping suspension.
The 32-year-old midfielder, a World Cup winner with France in 2018, was unveiled on Saturday in a video posted on Monaco’s social media pages, sporting the team’s iconic red-and-white jersey.
Return to Ligue 1 After Years Abroad
Although Pogba began his career in France at Le Havre, he left the country as a teenager to join Manchester United in 2009. He later rose to global prominence with Juventus, where his performances earned him a then-record transfer back to United in 2016 for €105 million.
Despite his global fame, this marks Pogba’s first time playing in France’s top division, Ligue 1.
Monaco finished third in Ligue 1 last season, earning them a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Pogba’s arrival is seen as a strategic move to strengthen their midfield and boost their title ambitions.
Career Comeback After Controversy
Pogba has been without a club since leaving Juventus in 2023, when the club mutually agreed to terminate his contract amid his ongoing doping ban.
He tested positive for testosterone in 2023 and was initially handed a four-year ban by Italy’s anti-doping court. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later reduced it to 18 months, citing a lack of intent and concluding that Pogba had inadvertently taken a contaminated supplement prescribed to him.
That ruling made Pogba eligible to return to football this year.
A Star Once Again?
During his time with Manchester United, Pogba scored 39 goals in 226 appearances. He also played a vital role in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph, even scoring in the final against Croatia.
His former international teammate Kylian Mbappé, who also scored in that final, welcomed Pogba’s comeback on Instagram with the messages: “Pogback” and “Daghe Munegu,” a local phrase meaning “Go Monaco.”
Monaco Bet Big on Revival
Monaco’s decision to sign Pogba shows the club’s ambition to challenge for Ligue 1 after falling short despite a strong start last season.
While Pogba’s recent past has been marred by off-field controversies, including injuries and his doping case, Monaco appears confident that the experienced midfielder can be a game-changer if he stays fit.
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