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Manchester United confirms signing of Ibrahimovic on free transfer

Manchester United

And now it's official.

After Zlatan Ibrahimovic took to Twitter on Thursday to announce he was joining Manchester United, the Premier League club confirmed the move has been finalised on Friday, using social media to relay the news.

"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 once again," said Ibrahimovic. "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."

(Courtesy: Manchester United)

Ibrahimovic, 34, joins the club as a free agent after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired - he had spent four years at the Parc des Princes, making 180 appearances and scoring 156 goals for the French giant.

The well-travelled striker, who has also spent time at Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, AC Milan, Barcelona, and Inter, will be reunited with former manager Jose Mourinho, with whom he worked with while at the latter during the 2008-09 campaign.

He scored 25 goals in 35 appearances under Mourinho, as the two developed an intense rapport during the title-winning season.

"Zlatan needs no introduction. The statistics speak for themselves," Mourinho said of the imposing Swede. "Ibra is one of the best strikers in the world and a player who always gives 100 per cent. 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."

Related: Twitter reacts to Ibrahimovic's Manchester United reveal

Ibrahimovic, who announced his retirement from international football following Sweden's elimination from Euro 2016, becomes United's second signing of the summer, joining defender Eric Bailly. The two men are likely to have another new teammate in short order, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to join the Red Devils in the coming days.

Having won domestic titles in four different countries - the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and France - Ibrahimovic will no doubt be looking to help United regain its perch atop English football.

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