Paul Pogba has secured a return to professional football by agreeing to a two-year contract with French club AS Monaco following the completion of his 18-month doping ban.
The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder was initially handed a four-year suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced the ban to 18 months. The ruling confirmed that Pogba had inadvertently taken DHEA, a substance that boosts testosterone and is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). However, the court noted that DHEA primarily affects females.
Pogba’s ban officially ended earlier this year, and he has since been linked with a return to the pitch this summer. According to reports from French media outlet Le Parisien, Pogba agreed to terms with Monaco after taking significant financial sacrifices to facilitate the move.
Discussions between the player and the Ligue 1 club lasted several days before finalizing the agreement on Sunday. Pogba reportedly traveled to Monaco earlier in June to meet with club officials and began planning his relocation, including arrangements for a new driver, housing, and security.
Joining Monaco will also mark Pogba’s return to the UEFA Champions League, as the club finished third in Ligue 1 behind Marseille and champions Paris Saint-Germain last season.
This move signals a fresh chapter in Pogba’s career as he aims to regain his form and make an impact at one of France’s top clubs.
