Manchester United have announced the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a one-year deal, with an option of a further 12 months.
The 34-year-old joins with a pedigree second to none, having played at some of European football’s giants since leaving his hometown club Malmo in 2002.
These clubs include: Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, AC Milan and most recently Paris St-Germain.
It was his contract expiry at PSG that has allowed the striker to reunite with manager Jose Mourinho, having spent the 2008/09 season together at Inter.
They lifted the Serie A crown that year, with Ibra also boasting 13 titles in his 15 seasons since leaving Sweden, and he was top goalscorer in 12 of those victories.
His scoring record also speaks volumes, having netted 364 career goals in 553 appearances, as well as 62 in 116 for Sweden.
Having captained his national side since 2012, Ibrahimovic retired from the international stage on the back of Sweden’s Euro 2016 group stage exit last month.
This will be of benefit for United, allowing the veteran to rest and recuperate during the various international breaks.
Even though he will turn 35 in October, the experience, leadership and winning mentality that Zlatan will bring to the club will be key to the dressing room.
The likes of Anthony Martial, 20, and Marcus Rashford, 18, will learn a lot from the incoming signing, where he has been likened to Eric Cantona.
His persona, ego, arrogance and character are some of the factors that have been missing from United squads in recent times, and his previous relationship with Mourinho allows an ally in the squad, as they both go about integrating themselves at Old Trafford.
Being a free signing, the deal makes sense, and Ibrahimovic arrives on the back of his most prolific season, having grabbed 52 goals in 56 goals.
16 assists also accompanied these impressive figures, highlighting his ability to hold the ball up and bring his teammates into play.
Potentially having the pace and energy of the likes of Martial, Rashford, Memphis and Ander Herrera surrounding him, Zlatan has the ability to utilise his hold-up play to great effect, with his dead ball prowess, power, strength and aerial threat other key components to his game.
Never one to be blessed with pace, Ibra has made the most of what he has got, and with the right players around, the team can thrive with a mix of attributes on show in an attacking sense.
No slouch with his weaker left foot either, the quality of goals throughout his career are there for all to see.
With Martial expected to operate wide left, Wayne Rooney in the midfield and Rashford still inexperienced, United needed a striker and have obtained one of the world’s best, who can spearhead the new era going forward.
This certainly feels like a marquee signing and statement of intent, and we wish Zlatan all the best during his time at the Theatre of Dreams.