SHOCK RETURN

Forgotten Premier League star, 35, set to reignite fierce Man Utd rivalry after sealing shock free transfer to PAOK

He previously labelled himself 'one of the best defenders in the world' after helping knock England out of the World Cup

FORMER Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is poised to face Manchester United this season after signing for Greek side PAOK.

The Croatian centre-back, 35, was a free agent after being released by Lyon at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

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, he has penned a two-year deal with PAOK - who won the Greek title last season.

And his new club will face Man Utd in the Europa League after drawing them in the league phase.

PAOK will travel to Old Trafford to face Erik ten Hag's men on November 7.

Lovren, who played Man Utd numerous times during his stint in the Premier League, joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2014 in a deal worth £20million.

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He spent six years at Anfield, playing 185 games and scoring eight goals.

He won the Premier League and Champions League under Jurgen Klopp before leaving for Zenit St Petersburg in 2020.

Lovren played in two Champions League finals, as well as a Europa League final.

He then won three Russian league titles in a row with Zenit, before he joined Lyon in 2022.

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At international level, Lovren enjoyed a 13-year international career with Croatia during which he played 78 games and bagged five goals.

He reached and started the 2018 World Cup final - after Croatia beat England in the semis.

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They lost 4-2 to France in the final.

After he helped Croatia beat England 2-1 in the last four, Lovren claimed he was one of the best defenders in the world.

He said: "People said I had a difficult season but I don’t agree with that.

"I showed why I took Liverpool to the final of the Champions League and now with the national team, and now I’m in the World Cup final.

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"I think people should recognise that I’m one of the best defenders in the world."

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