Paul Pogba has officially signed a two-year deal with AS Monaco, marking his return to professional football after serving a doping ban. The French midfielder aims to revitalize his career in Ligue 1, with his contract running until June 30, 2027.

Pogba's journey back to the pitch has been fraught with challenges. In September 2023, he was provisionally suspended following a positive drug test. The test revealed the presence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance known to elevate testosterone levels. Initially, Pogba received a four-year ban in February 2024 from Italy's anti-doping court, which threatened to end his career. However, he appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which reduced the ban to 18 months in October. The CAS determined that Pogba had unknowingly ingested DHEA through a prescribed supplement. The 18-month ban was counted from the date of his provisional suspension, making him eligible to play again in March 2025.

Following the ban reduction, Pogba expressed relief and eagerness to resume his career. He also mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Juventus in November 2024, making him a free agent.

AS Monaco announced Pogba's arrival with enthusiasm, highlighting his status as a World Cup champion. This move marks the first time Pogba will play for a French club at the senior level, despite spending part of his youth career in France.

Prior to the doping ban, Pogba had a distinguished career. He initially played for Manchester United before moving to Juventus, where he won four consecutive Serie A titles. In 2016, he returned to Manchester United for a then-world-record fee of £89 million. During his second stint with the Red Devils, he won the Europa League and the EFL Cup. He also won the Under-20 World Cup in 2013 and the World Cup in 2018 with France. He has 91 caps for France, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists. However, his second spell at Juventus was marred by injuries, limiting him to just 12 appearances.

At Monaco, Pogba joins former Tottenham and Bayern Munich defender Eric Dier, who also arrived on a free transfer this summer. Monaco finished third in Ligue 1 last season, behind Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille. Pogba's experience and skill set are expected to bolster Monaco's squad as they aim for success in the upcoming seasons.