Paul Pogba broke down in tears after signing a new deal with AS Monaco. The 32-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Ligue 1 outfit, keeping him at the club until 2027. This officially marks the end of a two-year nightmare for Pogba, who was initially banned for four years - a suspension later reduced to 18 months upon appeal - after failing a drug test. The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder was provisionally suspended after being randomly tested following Juventus' opening game of the 2023–24 season against Udinese.

He agreed to a mutual termination of his contract with Juventus in November and has been able to restart his career since March as a free agent. In the final judgment by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), it was confirmed that Pogba had inadvertently taken dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a substance that boosts testosterone and is on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned list.

The 2018 World Cup winner will make his comeback to competitive football after last featuring for Juventus in August 2023. Although his ban ended in March, he had to wait to return as professional leagues around the world were nearing the end of their respective seasons. Pogba has since been working on his fitness to return to professional football - documenting his journey throughout on his social media channels.

It will be the first time Pogba has played in Ligue 1 in his career. AS Monaco welcomed the French star by posting a series of pictures and videos about Pogba completing his move. Among them was an emotional video where Pogba broke down. The video begins with Pogba’s head bowed into his arm, then holding back tears as he puts pen to paper.

When he finally signs along the dotted line, he bows his head again and is consoled by one of his representatives and AS Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro. He says: “Take your time, it is beautiful to be here, to share this with you. Thank you from our side, special for you and special for us.”