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Ibrahimovic reasons picking up No.11 shirt for Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - AC Milan
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is hoping that the No.11 shirt can strengthen the sense of attachment between him and the Milan fans.

AC Milan talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic recently put the speculations regarding his exit from the club to bed after signing a contract extension.

The veteran striker on Monday put pen to paper on a new one-year deal until June 2021, reported to be worth around €7 million annually.

Ibrahimovic made his return to San Siro last season on a free transfer in January after leaving MLS side LA Galaxy a year before.

He was reportedly planning on walking out of Milan earlier due to the looming uncertainty over the future of manager Stefano Pioli, who the club had plans to dismiss in the favor of former RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick.

Eventually, the club handed him a new contract, which in turn helped Ibrahimovic to make up his mind to stay.

The Swede was expected to select the No. 9 shirt for his first full season in his second spell at the club. But he wanted to wear the shirt he wore during his first stint with the club and chose No. 11 instead.

“I chose No. 11 because the Milan fans know me with this number,” he stated in an interview with Milan TV.

“With No. 21, I didn’t feel like the Ibrahimovic of the first Milan, so I asked for this number to feel like I used to before.”

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