Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played for Manchester United between 2016 and 2018, has announced his retirement from football aged 41.
The Swede won three of his 32 career trophies at Old Trafford; the Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield during the 2017/18 season. He netted 29 times in 53 matches, including two in the 3-2 League Cup final win over Southampton at Wembley.
The attacker had already announced he was leaving current employers AC Milan at the end of this season but told the San Siro crowd following Sunday’s 3-1 win over Hellas Verona: "I say goodbye to football but not to you.”
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The veteran was brought to United by Jose Mourinho having previously played under the Portuguese at Inter. After netting the winner in the Community Shield against Leicester, Ibrahimovic scored on his Premier League debut against Bournemouth and recorded four goals in his first four league outings, including one against Manchester City.
A long-term knee injury curtailed his debut season before a setback suffered in December 2017 - a week after first leading the side out with the captain’s armband - kept him sidelined until his exit to LA Galaxy in the following March upon a mutual termination of his contract.
Ibrahimovic will go down as one of the greatest strikers of the modern era, having scored more than 500 goals for club and country in over 950 appearances, including 112 international caps.
Ibrahimvoic was visibly overcome by emotion as Milan fans serenaded his name, having clocked up 93 goals in 163 appearances over two stints for the Italian club. In a speech to the crowd at full-time, Ibrahimovic said: "I have so many memories and lived so many emotions in here, the first time I arrived here you gave me happiness. The second time love.
"I want to thank my family, everyone close to me, for their patience. I want to thank my second family, the players. I want to thank (AC Milan head coach Stefano) Pioli and his staff for the responsibility you have given me. I want to thank the managers for the opportunity.
"But most important of all: from my heart I want to thank you fans. You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home. I will be a Milan fan for life.”
Ibrahimovic also lists Malmo, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Juventus, Ajax and LA Galaxy among his former teams.
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