Zlatan Ibrahimovic shuns retirement as veteran striker signs new one-year deal at AC Milan to play until he is 41

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has reportedly agreed a paycut to shun retirement and sign a new one-year extension at AC Milan.

The Swedish striker is currently battling back from injury but has agreed a new deal to continue playing until he is at least 41.

Ibrahimovic, 40, became a free agent last week following the expiry of his contract at AC Milan.

The star was almost forced into retirement recently due to a severe knee injury.

He played without an ACL for six months and now faces a gruelling period of recovery after undergoing surgery.

However, the Serie A champions were eager to retain the services of the former Manchester United, Inter and Barcelona maverick.

We reported last week how club chiefs had scheduled a meeting with Ibrahimovic’s representatives over an extension despite his injury woes in a bid to tempt him to stay.

Manager Stefano Pioli sees the veteran as an important presence in the dressing room and on the pitch despite his problems.

Now transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed it is a done deal.

He tweeted: “Zlatan Ibrahimovic has decided to extend his contract with AC Milan!

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“Zlatan will continue for one more season, agreement in place until June 2023.

“Ibrahimovic suffered knee injury and his recovery will take 6/7 months but he will accept lower salary.”

Despite his age, the icon still managed to score eight goals in 27 matches for Milan as they claimed their first Scudetto since 2011 last term.

Discussing his injury at the end of the season, he said: “For the past six months I played without an ACL in my left knee. Swollen knee for six months.

“I was only able to train with the team 10 times in the last six months.

“Took more than 20 injections in six months. Emptied the knee once a week for six months.

“Painkillers every day for six months. Barely slept for six months because of the pain.”