French midfielder and former Manchester United star, Paul Pogba, is set to return to professional football after agreeing to a two-year contract with Ligue 1 club AS Monaco, according to French outlet Le Parisien.
Pogba’s comeback comes after serving an 18-month suspension over a doping violation.
Initially handed a four-year ban after testing positive for DHEA—a substance known to elevate testosterone and listed as prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)—his punishment was later reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which acknowledged that Pogba had taken the substance unintentionally.
The court also noted that DHEA’s primary effects are observed in females.
The ban officially concluded earlier this year, and speculation had been mounting about Pogba’s next move in football.
Now, reports suggest that the 31-year-old has taken significant financial cuts to facilitate a deal with Monaco, as he prioritizes returning to top-flight football.
Negotiations between Pogba and the club reportedly spanned several days before both parties finalized terms on Sunday.
The former Juventus midfielder is also said to have visited Monaco in early June to initiate preparations for the move, including discussions around accommodation, transportation, and personal security.
A move to Monaco not only marks Pogba’s return to competitive football but also provides him a chance to compete once more in the UEFA Champions League, with the club finishing third in Ligue 1 last season behind Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain.
