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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Will Unwin

Paul Pogba agrees two-year Monaco deal to restart career after doping ban

Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba’s last competitive game was in September 2023. Photograph: Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse/Shutterstock

Paul Pogba is poised to return to football with Monaco after the conclusion of his doping ban. The France international has agreed a two-year deal with the Ligue 1 club and will undergo a medical this week.

The 32-year-old last played a competitive game in September 2023, for Juventus, before receiving a four-year suspension after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Pogba appealed against the length of his ban, which was reduced to 18 months, and has been free to play since March.

Pogba, who has 91 caps, attracted interest from clubs across the world after agreeing to terminate his Juventus contract last November. Sides from MLS and Saudi Arabia made overtures but the midfielder decided it would be best to restart his career in Monaco.

Despite coming through the ­academy at Le Havre, Pogba has never played domestic football in France. He has had two spells at Manchester United, becoming the world’s most expensive player at the time when he returned to the club in 2016 for £89.3m.

Pogba’s second spell at Old Trafford was a disappointment and he returned to Juventus in 2022 on a free transfer, but struggled with injuries and form in Serie A before his ban.

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