Audio By Carbonatix
Manchester United have re-signed striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer.
Ibrahimovic was released at the end of last season but has now agreed a new one-year deal at the club.
Jose Mourinho told United's official website: "We are delighted Zlatan is on the road to recovery and we are equally delighted to have his ambition and experience back with us.
"After his contribution last season he deserves our trust and we will be patient waiting for him to return. I have no doubt that he will be important in the second part of the season."
Ibrahimovic, who will wear the No. 10 shirt this season, said: "I am back to finish what I started. It was always mine and the club's intention for me to stay.
"I cannot wait to get back out on that Old Trafford pitch, but I also know that I have to take my time to make sure that I am ready. I have been working hard and will continue to do so to make sure I am in the best possible condition for my return to the pitch."
In April, he suffered a knee ligament injury that brought his first season in the Premier League to a premature end.
United decided not to exercise their option to extend his deal with the 35-year-old agreeing to focus on his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery in the United States.
Jose Mourinho and United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward continued to make the club's training and medical facilities at their Carrington base available to the striker.
And despite deciding to let Ibrahimovic go, they were always open to the possibility of him returning if he could prove his fitness.
United staff and Ibrahimovic's surgeons in Pittsburgh have been impressed with his recovery and he could now return before the end of the year.
Marcos Rojo, who suffered a less severe knee ligament injury in the same game against Anderlecht, returned to training with the first team on Tuesday.
Ibrahimovic arrived at Old Trafford last summer on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain and scored 28 goals in 46 games, including 17 in the Premier League, before injury ended his campaign.
The former Sweden captain missed the Europa League final against former club Ajax in the Friends Arena in Stockholm, a stadium that will soon have a statue of Ibrahimovic placed outside.
In July, United's new £75 million striker Romelu Lukaku revealed he had asked Ibrahimovic's permission to wear the No. 9 shirt this season.
He said: "Strikers play with No. 9. It's a nice number, and I asked the permission of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I want to thank him, as well, for allowing me to wear that number."
Latest Stories
-
NSA to close registration portal for 2025/2026 National Service year
7 minutes -
BoG Governor targets single-digit interest rates to boost businesses
26 minutes -
BAWA-ROCK Ltd honoured for sustainable gold trading at Africa Development Conference
36 minutes -
Fire guts Unique Floral shop at Tse Addo
1 hour -
GPL 2025/26: Kotey strike hands Gold Stars crucial away win at Hohoe
1 hour -
Dormaahene urges Mahama to pursue accountability over National Cathedral project
1 hour -
GPL 2025/26: Mamah strike powers Samartex past Heart of Lions
1 hour -
Mahama directs release of GH¢1bn to contractors owed since 2017
1 hour -
GPL 2025/26: Aduana hold Hearts in Dormaa
1 hour -
Sekyi-Brown Reginald: Transforming infrastructure into preventive healthcare
1 hour -
Two arrested for unlawful possession of firearm, ammunition
2 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Karela United edge Vision FC in Tamale
2 hours -
Return home to support 24-hour economy agenda – Ambassador Smith urges students abroad
3 hours -
Minute’s silence held to remember Bondi Beach attack victims
3 hours -
Lands Minister commissions 3rd batch of 636 Blue Water Guards; pledges sustained fight against galamsey
3 hours
