By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
French World Cup winning midfielder Paul Pogba has returned to Serie A side Juventus on a free transfer the Italian giants announced on their website on Monday.
The 29-year-old enjoyed a highly successful first spell at Juventus (2012-16) before Manchester United swooped to sign him for a then record €105 million.
“Paul is back in Turin,” Juventus said on their website.
“He left as a boy and returns as a man and a champion.”
United and Pogba were unable to agree on a new contract and the club confirmed at the start of June that he would leave as a free agent this summer.
Pogba, who joined the United academy from Le Havre as a 16-year-old in 2009, helped them to win the EFL Cup and Europa League in his first season back at the club, but they would prove to be the only trophies he won in his second spell.
A disagreement with then United manager Jose Mourinho saw him lose the vice-captaincy in 2018, before injuries and patchy form reduced his impact.
Pogba, who has 91 international caps, was influential as France won the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
He went on to score 16 goals for United in the 2018-19 campaign, but over the last three seasons scored just eight goals from 91 appearances, with one from 27 last term.
Pogba scored 39 goals in 233 appearances across his two spells at the club, but his final home appearance against Norwich City in April saw him jeered by United supporters as he was substituted.
Juventus finished fourth in Serie A for the second straight season, 16 points behind champions AC Milan.