Manchester United have confirmed the signing of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
And the star forward has compared his move to Manchester United to the boxing megafight between Flloyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
The bout in 2015 was one of the most hyped sporting occasions of all time and smashed all box-office records. Friday’s transfer, which reunites Ibrahimovic with super coach Jose Mourinho at one of the most famous clubs in the world, has similar pull, according to the striker.
"I compare it with the Mayweather and Pacquiao fight,” he said in his first interview with MUTV. “They said it would never happen but it happened. "I want to say thanks to my team and Jose Mourinho because they made it possible. Now I'm at United and I'm super happy. My decision was the easiest part. The rest was a puzzle but the puzzle came together and we are happy, all of us."
The 34-year-old joins Jose Mourinho's side on a one-year deal with an option for a further year after the expiration of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, for whom he scored 156 goals in 180 games.
United posted a short video on their Twitter account of Sweden's record all-time goalscorer wearing a United shirt and saying "it's Zlatan time".
Ibrahimovic had already announced on Instagram that he would be joining United He reunites with Mourinho in Manchester after previously working with the Portuguese at Inter, and is the club's second signing of the summer window after Villarreal defender Eric Bailly.
The Swede, who started his career with Malmo in his home country, boasts 13 league titles across spells with Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG - although the two he won with Juve were subsequently revoked due to Calciopoli. His capture is a big statement of intent by United as they seek to regain their place in the Champions League and, with Mourinho at the helm, challenge for honours.
Ibrahimovic won Serie A with Mourinho in 2008-09, scoring 25 goals in 35 league games before being lured to Barcelona that summer. He is excited by the prospect of playing for him once again. "I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United and am looking forward to playing in the Premier League. It goes without saying that I cannot wait to work with Jose Mourinho again. He is a fantastic manager and I am ready for this new and exciting challenge.
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