Paul Pogba has officially joined Monaco, finally returning to football after serving his reduced doping ban at the start of the year, with the former Manchester United star breaking down in tears as he signed his contract. 

In September 2023, Pogba was handed a four-year suspension after returning an adverse drugs test, however that suspension was slashed to just 18 months last October.

Pogba’s ban officially ended earlier this year but his contract with Juventus has previously been mutually terminated.

With Monaco, Pogba will aim to relaunch his club career and push for a return to the French national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

But in a video shared by the club, the full weight of his decision to return to club football was evident as he appeared emotionally overcome upon signing the deal. 

Paul Pogba broke down in tears after signing a new deal to play for Monaco after his doping ban

The star has joined the principality club on a two-year deal after the ban was lifted this year

The former Manchester United and Juventus star last played competitively in September 2023

Pogba was captured with his head in his hands after the deal was made official, and wiped away tears as he was supported by friends in the wake of the move. 

Unable to speak at length, as he was being encouraged by a representative of the club, Pogba could only manage to say: ‘Thank you for the trust’. 

He capped off his own announcement video with the words: ‘La renaissance,’ seemingly promising fans of a career revival in the principality of Monaco.

Pogba’s last competitive match came for Juventus in September 2023 against Empoli, while he last played 90 minutes in March 2022 when he played for United.

Meanwhile, his last match for France came in a 5-0 friendly win against South Africa on March 29, 2022.

During his time away from the pitch, Pogba was linked with the likes of Marseille, Manchester City, Corinthians and even a shock return to United, as well as several MLS clubs.

But the World Cup winner will instead join a Monaco side that finished third behind Marseille and champions Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season.

Despite representing France 91 times and winning the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018, Pogba has never actually played in the country’s top-flight.

Pogba was initially handed a four-year doping ban, which was reduced to 18 months last October

Pogba will aim to relaunch his club career and push for a return to the French national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Having come through the ranks at United, he joined Juventus before a then-record transfer fee of £89.3million saw him return to Old Trafford in 2016.

From United, he once again joined Juventus on a free transfer in 2022, before his life came crumbling down in his second season back at the Old Lady when he learned of his suspension.

He made just 12 appearances for Juventus during his second stint in Italy, which was riddled with injuries before his ban. 

In an exclusive interview with Mail Sport last year, Pogba revealed the story of how he found out the news that he would be able to play football again in 2025.

‘Here’s a funny story: I was trying on a new suit for a film premiere but I didn’t have my phone,’ Pogba told Mail Sport.

‘My wife (Zulay) comes rushing upstairs with my phone screaming, “It’s the lawyer”. I said I would call him back but she said I had to take the call.

‘So I went downstairs to speak to him with the suit on! He told me the news and I was silent. Everyone was jumping, so happy but I was in shock.

‘Quickly that happiness turned into a determination. We went through hell. A time of darkness. But this is my second chance, I have to use it. I was pumped.