Zlatan Ibrahimovic has rejoined AC Milan’s administration as an advisor, the club’s owners RedBird Capital Partners said on Monday.
The former Sweden striker, who won a slew of championships as a player in Italy, will “serve as a senior advisor to AC Milan ownership and senior management,” according to a statement from American investment group RedBird.
In addition, the 42-year-old has been hired as an “Operating Partner” for RedBird’s “sports, media, and entertainment investment portfolio.”
Red Bird reported that Ibrahimovic’s role at Milan “will include player development and high-performance training, advancing AC Milan’s global brand and commercial interests, and supporting special projects of strategic importance, including the club’s new stadium.”
Ibrahimovic, who works for RedBird, “will help source and evaluate new investment opportunities for the firm, and will advise RedBird portfolio companies on commercial projects, digital content strategies and strategic brand building initiatives” .
Ibrahimovic ended his spectacular playing career at the end of last season, during which he was plagued by injuries and only scored once for Milan.
That goal came in a 3-1 win against Udinese in March, making him the Serie A’s oldest goal scorer.
After his comeback as a seasoned forward in 2019, Ibrahimovic was a vital figure in Milan’s resurgence to the top of Italian football, helping to pull them back from the doldrums and eventually win the Serie A title in 2022.
He was also instrumental in the club’s previous Scudetto triumph 11 years ago, which was followed by a long period of stagnation and financial difficulties before being revitalized under current coach Stefano Pioli.
Ibrahimovic won league titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and France during his career, but his sole big European prize was the 2017 Europa League with Manchester United.
He returns to Milan with the club nine points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan and facing a Champions League group stage exit.