Paul Pogba completes record transfer to Manchester United from Juventus

Sport 11:13 09.08.2016

Manchester United have secured the long-awaited signing of midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus for a world-record fee.

Pogba, 23, returns to Old Trafford four seasons after departing for Italy, with Juventus confirming the transfer fee of €105 million (£89.3 million, $116.4 million).

The fee, payable over the next two years, can increase by an additional €5 million if certain conditions are met, Juventus said.

The transfer beats the previous record fee of an estimated €100 million (£85 million) that Real Madrid paid Tottenham for Gareth Bale in 2013.

When Pogba joined Juventus in 2012, United received just £800,000 in compensation, and the Frenchman quickly established himself as a key player, helping the Bianconeri win Serie A four times and the Coppa Italia twice.

Pogba had made just seven appearances for United during his first spell with the Premier League club, all during the 2011-12 season, including three in the Premier League, three in the Capital One Cup and one in the Europa League.

All seven of those were second-half substitute appearances, and he opted to leave when his contract expired after failing to establish himself in Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team plans.

He returns to United on a five-year contract, with an option to extend the deal for an additional season.

"I am delighted to rejoin United," Pogba told United's official website. "It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with Jose Mourinho.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Juventus and have some fantastic memories of a great club with players that I count as friends.

"But I feel the time is right to go back to Old Trafford. I always enjoyed playing in front of the fans and can't wait to make my contribution to the team. This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game."

Pogba arrived at Manchester United's training ground on Monday to have his medical exam, before the team confirmed the deal just after midnight on Tuesday.

Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola -- who, sources told ESPN FC, is set to make €20 million from the deal -- appeared to confirm the transfer was done shortly before United published their announcement.

Real Madrid had also been keen to sign Pogba, and sources told ESPN FC the European champions made an attempt last month to beat United to the deal.

Instead, he becomes Mourinho's fourth signing since taking charge this summer, following Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

"Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future," Mourinho said in the club's statement.

"He is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game better than many players much older than he is.

"At 23, he has the chance to make that position his own here over many years. He is young and will continue to improve; he has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond."

The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be important for Pogba, Mourinho said after Sunday's Community Shield victory over Leicester.

"United is the perfect club to bring him to the level he wants to be," the manager said. "The Premier League is the perfect habitat for that. If you want to be the best player in the world, if you go to Barcelona or Real Madrid, you are in trouble because I don't think the other two big guys [Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo] will let you."

Arindam is ESPN FC's Manchester United correspondent. 

Uzbek Representative IEPF Shukhrat Barlas Receives "100th Anniversary of Heydar Aliyev" Jubilee Medal - PHOTOS/VIDEO

News line

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken Honors partner of IEPF Heidi Kühn - PHOTOS
18:00 11.05.2024
President, First Lady participate in opening of Kharibulbul Music Festival in Shusha
16:51 11.05.2024
Spanish Photographer Gervasio Sanchez Concludes Visit to Azerbaijan as Guest of IEPF - PHOTOS
16:00 11.05.2024
Head of UN NGO Branch to Visit Azerbaijan - PHOTOS
14:00 11.05.2024
Mbappé announces PSG exit ahead of likely Real Madrid move
13:23 11.05.2024
Former Armenian MP detained in Russia
Former Armenian MP detained in Russia
12:59 11.05.2024
Actions of disobedience resume in Yerevan and several Armenian regions
12:38 11.05.2024
Price of Azerbaijan oil drops
Price of Azerbaijan oil drops
12:19 11.05.2024
Azerbaijani and Armenian FMs to continue negotiations in Almaty today
11:55 11.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev receives ICESCO Director General in Shusha
11:42 11.05.2024
Uzbek Representative IEPF Shukhrat Barlas Receives "100th Anniversary of Heydar Aliyev" Jubilee Medal - PHOTOS/VIDEO
11:25 11.05.2024
President: We never wanted war, and we don't want it today either
10:50 11.05.2024
Kharibulbul International Music Festival to kick off in Shusha today
10:35 11.05.2024
President of COP29 visits COMSATS headquarters in Pakistan
10:13 11.05.2024
School bus accident in Antalya, Türkiye: 25 injured as student transport plunges into ravine
09:58 11.05.2024
United Nations General Assembly backs Palestinian bid for membership
09:00 11.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates Shusha residents on their returning to native land
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates Shusha residents on their returning to native land
23:00 10.05.2024
President: A new history of Shusha begins today
22:33 10.05.2024
Azerbaijani President: The war could not have ended successfully without Shusha
21:45 10.05.2024
Is a Peace Agreement Between Azerbaijan and Armenia Possible by November?
21:00 10.05.2024
Spain, Ireland intend to recognize Palestine, Borrell says
20:00 10.05.2024
Brazilian flood death toll reaches 107
Brazilian flood death toll reaches 107
19:40 10.05.2024
Napoli star Kvaratskhelia ‘top priority’ for PSG to replace Mbappe
Napoli star Kvaratskhelia ‘top priority’ for PSG to replace Mbappe
19:20 10.05.2024
Participation of Swiss companies in restoration work in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur discussed
19:00 10.05.2024
Green technology online platform to be established in Azerbaijan
18:40 10.05.2024
Alparslan Bayraktar: Türkiye aims to deepen energy cooperation with US
18:20 10.05.2024
Bilateral Meeting Commences: Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers Discuss Peace Agreement in Almaty
17:45 10.05.2024
COP29 president mulls consequences of climate change in Pakistan
17:22 10.05.2024
Azerbaijan Army holds Military Oath-taking ceremonies - VİDEO
Azerbaijan Army holds Military Oath-taking ceremonies - VİDEO
17:05 10.05.2024
Ilham Aliyev views works done on Khankandi-Shusha-Lachin highway
Ilham Aliyev views works done on Khankandi-Shusha-Lachin highway
17:03 10.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lays foundation of Turshsu settlement of Shusha district
16:57 10.05.2024
President, First Lady attend opening of first residential complex in Shusha
16:38 10.05.2024
Armenian FM Mirzoyan: Yerevan aimed at signing peace treaty
16:05 10.05.2024
Scotland's first minister says independence from UK 'can be achieved in five years'
Scotland's first minister says independence from UK 'can be achieved in five years'
15:48 10.05.2024
Russian Analyst Offers Insights on Armenian Border Guard Situation and Foreign Policy Dynamics
15:30 10.05.2024
Azerbaijani FM Bayramov hopes two days of work in Almaty will be positive
15:24 10.05.2024
President, First Lady view reconstruction work at Chol Gala Mosque in Shusha
15:15 10.05.2024
Iranian Government Attempting to Persianize Nizami Ganjavi
15:02 10.05.2024
Iran Unveils Discovery of New Oil and Gas Reserves
Iran Unveils Discovery of New Oil and Gas Reserves
14:45 10.05.2024
Umud Mirzayev: "Heydar Aliyev is an eternal leader"
14:33 10.05.2024
Hamısı