French midfielder Paul Pogba has officially sealed his comeback to professional football by signing a two-year contract with AS Monaco, marking his return after serving an 18-month doping ban.
The former Manchester United and Juventus star was originally slapped with a four-year suspension following a positive test for DHEA, a banned substance that enhances testosterone.
However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Pogba had inadvertently consumed the substance, which was deemed to have negligible performance-enhancing effects on male athletes. The ban was subsequently reduced to 18 months.
With the ban lifted earlier this year, Pogba had been linked with several clubs, but French outlet Le Parisien reports that Monaco secured his signature after days of negotiations. The 31-year-old is said to have made significant financial concessions to finalize the deal, underlining his determination to resume his career.
Pogba reportedly visited Monaco earlier in June to sort out personal arrangements, including housing, transportation, and security measures, as he prepared for life in the principality.
His move to Monaco will also see him return to Champions League football next season, as the club secured a third-place finish in Ligue 1, behind Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille.
