Paul Pogba has departed AS Monaco after the Ligue 1 club terminated his contract ahead of schedule, ending a difficult one-season spell at the principality.

The former France midfielder, 33, had been signed until June 2027, but Monaco announced the early exit citing objectives that both parties had agreed upon as only "partially achieved." Pogba featured in just six matches across the campaign, starting only one of them.

A grateful farewell

Pogba reflected warmly on his time at the club despite the limited playing time. "Representing this club and the principality was an incredible experience," he said. "AS Monaco is an incredible club and although I did not play as many games as I had hoped, I will always be grateful for the opportunity to wear their colours."

Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro also struck a measured tone. "When [Pogba] joined, we explained that this was a major challenge, that was audacious and ambitious," Scuro said. "While the outcome is not what we had hoped for, it should not overshadow the enthusiasm that surrounded his return to club football, nor the fact that Paul was able to return to the pitch and to professional football during this period. We wish Paul all the very best for the future."

From doping ban to Monaco's bench

Pogba had joined Monaco last summer following a turbulent period in his career. He received a doping suspension while at Juventus, though he consistently maintained the positive test was a mistake. The Court of Arbitration for Sport subsequently reduced his ban from four years to 18 months, clearing him to return to professional football in March 2025.

MLS interest clouds by injury

The 2018 World Cup winner is now attracting interest from Major League Soccer, with DC United and Inter Miami among the clubs previously linked with him. However, Pogba sustained a hamstring injury during Monaco's pre-season training camp in England last week, a setback that could delay any potential transfer.