Paul Pogba breaks down in tears as ex-Man Utd star seals return to football after doping ban with Ligue 1 side Monaco

PAUL POGBA broke down in floods of tears as he signed for Monaco after his 18-month drug ban.

The former Juventus and Manchester United midfielder, 32, collapsed his head into his hands as he penned a two-year deal.

Paul Pogba is overcome with the realisation of his return

The French World Cup winner hasn't played since failing a doping test in August 2023 and being suspended a month later.

He's been free to find a club since March this year - and let out all his emotion after sealing his first-ever deal with a home-country club.

In a statement on their website, the Ligue 1 club announced: "AS Monaco are delighted to announce the arrival of Paul Pogba. The French World Champion has signed a 2-season deal, and is now tied to the Principality until 30 June 2027."

Pogba was suspended following a random test after Juve played Udinese on the opening day of the 2023-24 season.

He was initially banned for four years - but that was slashed by 30 months on appeal last October.

The four-time Serie A winner pledged to ultimately resume playing - and insisted last week he "still feels like a kid".

Pogba's contract with Juve was terminated by mutual consent last November.

Two months after that, he appeared to hint at a THIRD spell with the Red Devils.

Pogba teased United fans with an Instagram post.

He shared a cartoon drawing of himself next to Old Trafford ace Amad Diallo - with BOTH players in Red Devils' kit.

Pogba sent speculation spiralling by adding the words: "Let's see what's coming..."

And it's understood he also hoped to attract interest from the Bundesliga as well as Juve's major rivals in Serie A.

Instead, however, Ligue 1 runners-up Monaco have swooped.

The Old Trafford academy product left United for his first stint with Juve in 2012.

Four glittering years later, Pogba returned to the Red Devils for a then-British record fee of £89million.

But his Premier League form was more erratic than electric.

Pogba did help Jose Mourinho's Red Devils win both the Europa League and League Cup in 2016-17.

But he reunited with Juve via a four-year deal and free transfer in July 2022, only to fail a drug test 13 months later

He was found to have taken banned substance  dehydroepiandrosterone, which boosts testosterone and can improve endurance.

But Pogba's suspension was cut last autumn when the Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted his case it "was not intentional".

Now the 91-cap star is revving up for a top-level return.

Just days ago, as he neared his Monaco move, Pogba said: "I’m mentally and physically ready, and I’m eager to start again.

"I’m 32, but I still feel like a kid."

Pogba also criticised Juve for rejecting his pleas for help.

He told French TV channel TF1: "I asked to get a fitness coach. I had the right, and I was always part of the team.

"They were not very kind to me, they did not support me, and I was shocked. I did not understand why."

"I thought I was at war with anti-doping authorities."