Paul Pogba has officially signed with AS Monaco of Ligue 1, marking his return to professional football after a challenging period. The French club announced the two-year deal, tying the 2018 World Cup winner to the Principality until June 30, 2027. This move signifies Pogba's first foray into Ligue 1, despite a career that has seen him play for giants like Manchester United and Juventus.

The midfielder's career faced a significant setback when he was provisionally suspended in September 2023 for a doping offense. An initial four-year ban was reduced to 18 months on appeal, and he has been eligible to play since March 2025. His last appearance on the field was in September 2023 for Juventus. Juventus and Pogba mutually agreed to terminate his contract in November 2024.

AS Monaco finished third in Ligue 1 last season and hopes that Pogba's arrival will help them bridge the gap with Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille. At 32, Pogba aims to reignite his career in his home country. The club's president, Dmitri Rybolovlev, aims to restore Monaco to the top of French and European football.

Pogba began his youth career at Le Havre AC before joining Manchester United, where he made his professional debut in 2011. He then moved to Juventus in 2012, where he truly made a name for himself. During his first spell with the "Old Lady" until 2016, he won four consecutive Serie A titles (2013-2016), two Italian Cups (2015, 2016), and two Italian Supercups (2013, 2015), also reaching the Champions League final in 2015.

In 2016, Pogba returned to Manchester United for a then-record fee. In his second stint with the Red Devils, he made 233 appearances, scoring 39 goals and providing 51 assists. He won the Europa League and the English League Cup in 2017.

Pogba's return to Juventus in 2022 was marred by injuries and his subsequent doping suspension. He only made 12 appearances during this period. Now, cleared to play since March 2025, Pogba has the opportunity to start afresh with Monaco.

Monaco is excited about Pogba joining their ranks. The club noted that Pogba will be the 13th World Champion to play for Monaco, joining other notable names like Jürgen Klinsmann, Fabien Barthez, and Thierry Henry. His experience and leadership are expected to be valuable assets both on and off the field.

Throughout his international career, Pogba has been a key player for the French national team, earning 91 caps and scoring 11 goals. He played a significant role in France's 2018 World Cup victory, scoring in the final against Croatia. He also won the Nations League in 2021 and was a finalist at Euro 2016.

Interestingly, Pogba could have pursued a career in table tennis, as he was quite talented in the sport as a child. But he chose football, joining Le Havre's youth academy at 14. Now, at 32, he will finally experience Ligue 1, potentially facing his former youth club, Le Havre, in the first matchday.