Manchester United have confirmed that former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has joined the club, and has signed a one-year deal according to reports.
Ibrahimovic, 34, arrives as a free agent after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired on Thursday when he announced on social media that he would be moving to Old Trafford — writing on Instagram: “Time to let the world know. My next destination is @manchesterunited #iamcoming”
The move will see Ibrahimovic reunited with United manager Jose Mourinho, whom he had worked with at Inter Milan during the 2008-09 season and United’s confirmed was announced via a Twitter message with a seven-second video of Zlatan emerging wearing a United shirt before saying “It’s Zlatan time.”
Are you ready? It’s #ZlatanTime… https://t.co/s8AsUG6VZF
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 1, 2016
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United and am looking forward to playing in the Premier League,” Ibrahimovic later told the United website. “It goes without saying that I cannot wait to work with Jose Mourinho once again. He is a fantastic manager and I am ready for this new and exciting challenge.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my career so far and have some great memories. I am now ready to create more special memories in England.”
Mourinho added: “Zlatan needs no introduction. The statistics speak for themselves. Ibra is one of the best strikers in the world and a player who always gives 100 percent. He has won the most important league championships in the world of football, now he has the opportunity to play in the best league in the world and I know he will grasp this opportunity and will work hard to help the team win titles.
“I am certain that his talent will delight fans at Old Trafford next season and that his experience will be invaluable in helping to develop the younger players in the squad.”
Before joining PSG, where he spent four years and scored 156 goals in 180 appearances, Ibrahimovic had enjoyed spells at AC Milan, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Ajax and Malmo. He has already won titles in four countries, having secured Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A, France’s Ligue 1 and the Dutch Eredivisie.
The former Sweden international, who retired from international football after Euro 2016, will become the club’s second signing of the summer after defender Eric Bailly’s arrival from Villarreal, with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan expected to follow shortly.
United will play Galatasaray in a friendly in Ibrahimovic’s native Sweden on July 30.
When he arrives at his new club for preseason training, he will be part of an attack that already includes Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and the option of Wayne Rooney, although the England captain was used in midfield towards the end of last season.
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