Paul Pogba has broken his silence after Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced a decision on his drugs ban.
The Juventus midfielder was suspended for four years an initial sample taken after a game against Udinese showed DHEA - a compound that promotes the production of hormones in the body including testosterone - was found in his system.
In response to the ban imposed, Pogba denied "knowingly or deliberately taking any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations" and stressed he would appeal the verdict.
And the World Cup winner has been successful in his appeal as CAS have reduced his ban down to 18 months.
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It means Pogba can start training again with Juventus in January before returning to Thiago Motta's squad in March.
In response to the news, Pogba issued a lengthy statement on the matter and expressed his delight at the decision.
"Finally the nightmare is over," a statement from Pogba read, as per Sami Mokbel from the Daily Mail.
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"Following the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again.
"I always stated that I never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency regulations when I took a nutritional supplement prescribed to me by a doctor, which does not affect or enhance the performance of male athletes.
"I play with integrity, and although I must accept that this is a strict liability offence, I want to place on record my thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport's judges who heard my explanation.
"This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold.
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"Thank you again for all the love and support. I just cannot wait to get back on the pitch."
Pogba had also took to social media to post an egg timer emoji along with a picture of his Adidas boots.
His last appearance for Juve was in September 2023, during a 2-0 win at Empoli.
Pogba's positive result from a B sample was returned in October following random testing after a game against Udinese.
Topics: Juventus, Paul Pogba, Manchester United
Josh Lawless