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I’m joining Manchester United, says Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic had kept his fans guessing on where he would be playing football next season – until now. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:51am, 1 Jul 2016Updated: 9:51am, 1 Jul 2016

Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Thursday he is joining Manchester United, ending intense speculation about where the 34-year-old Swedish superstar forward will be playing next season.

Ibrahimovic, who was a free agent after ending a hugely successful stay at Paris Saint-Germain, becomes the second signing of new United boss Jose Mourinho after that of highly rated Ivory Coast centre-back Eric Bailly from the Spanish outfit Villarreal.

“Time to let the world know. My next destination is Manchester United,” he wrote on Instagram and Facebook, complete with a picture of the United badge, as comments approving of the move – one of the biggest of the summer transfer window so far – flooded in.

Ibrahimovic reunites with Mourinho, after they enjoyed a good relationship while together at Italians Inter Milan, in what is likely to be the last major move in a career spanning five countries and reaping 11 league titles.

He is set to sign a one-year deal on Friday that will see him earn about US$290,000 a week, British media said.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic played for Jose Mourinho when they were at Inter Milan. Photo: Reuters

The towering Swede, who hit 62 goals in 116 international matches, had toyed with questioners for weeks about where he would be going and it will be his first time playing in the Premier League, which is awash with cash from a bonanza television deal.