Paul Pogba's contract ripped up by Juventus as ex-Man Utd star releases statement

has terminated his contract by mutual consent. The former Manchester United midfielder is now a free agent having not played a professional match since September 2023 due to a drugs ban.

The France World Cup winner's doping ban has been reduced from four years to 18 months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, meaning he can play again in March 2025.

Experts supported his case that he had unintentionally ingested a banned substance.

He was provisionally suspended by Italy's anti-doping organisation in September last year after testing positive for DHEA, an illegal substance that raises levels of testosterone.

The positive test came in August following a match between Juventus and Udinese. But Pogba is now being allowed to restart his career elsewhere after a failed second stint with the Serie A giants.

A brief statement from Juve read on Friday night: "Juventus Football Club and Paul Pogba announce that they have reached a mutual agreement for the termination of their contract as of 30 November, 2024.

"The club wishes Paul the very best for his professional future."

While Pogba posted a message of his own, saying: "My time at Juventus has come to an end. It has been a privilege to pull on the shirt of the bianconeri and to share so many special moments together.

"I cherish the memories we made. They live on. Even in the most difficult moments over the past year, your support was crucial and I want to thank Uve fans around the world for their compassion.

"It has been a pleasure to have experienced so many great memories with my team-mates over the years and I wish them every success in the future.

"I am looking forward to the next chapter of my career and to stepping out on the pitch with my next club."

Pogba rejoined Juve from United in the summer of 2022 on a free transfer. He only made 12 appearances due to injury and his ban and the 31-year-old is now on the hunt for new employers.

There has also been talk Pogba could head back home to France, where he has never played at first-team level, or that he could move to Saudi Arabia or the MLS.

The France international, who has 91 caps, has only ever played for United and Juve so far and has enjoyed two separate spells at both clubs.

After his ban was reduced last month, Pogba reacted: "Finally the nightmare is over. Following the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again."