Pogba: 'Juventus will always be a part of me'

New Manchester United signing Paul Pogba finally broke weeks of mind games and silence following his world-record, €105-million move to Old Trafford.

Pogba gave his thanks to Juventus supporters before explaining the reason for all the secrecy, and ultimately why he opted to return to the Premier League club that sold him for virtually nothing in 2012.

The 23-year-old France international said he couldn't speak because of "law," adding that the decision involved "lots of thinking and work."

He continued on his Instagram page: "It is difficult to explain so much in a few lines but I made a decision guided by my heart and nothing else."

He saved his most heartfelt words for the Bianconeri, with whom he won four consecutive Serie A titles and scored 28 league goals. He arrived in Italy as a lanky teenager with loads of potential, and he ultimately grew into one of the game's most powerful midfielders.

His ability to score outrageous goals from long distances and body players off the ball made him a perennial transfer target.

"Juventus will always be a part of me and I will always miss, love, and be grateful to the club, the team and especially the supporters," Pogba wrote. "I hope you can respect my decision. The most beautiful part of friendship is to understand and be understood."

Related: 3 midfielders Juventus should target to replace Pogba

Pogba also gave a nod to Real Madrid after Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane had expressed interest in the player.

"My deepest respect to the clubs who considered having me," he said.

But ultimately, the draw of playing at Old Trafford again captured Pogba's imagination. He only made three senior appearances for the Red Devils before departing, and although the circumstances of his exit remain a point of contention, former gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson claimed in his book, Leading, that the club had been "eager" to extend Pogba's stay.

That didn't happen, and Pogba's now back in England as the most expensive player ever.

"Leaving Manchester when I was 18 was a mutual decision between the club and me and the right thing to do at that moment," Pogba added. "Now it's time to go back and forward, Old Trafford here I come!"