Ibrahimovic announces Manchester United move on social media

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's poorly kept secret has finally been revealed as the former Paris Saint-Germain striker announced Manchester United as his next club destination, proclaiming the move to his 15.5 million followers on Instagram and his 3.7 million followers on Twitter:

Ever determined to write his legacy with his own pen, Ibrahimovic brushed aside traditional transfer conventions to announce the move himself, with the news sending ripples through social media, garnering a reported 10,000 likes per minute and reaching over 50,000 retweets in 15 minutes.

Related: Twitter reacts to Ibrahimovic's Manchester United reveal

As Ibrahimovic's time in Paris approached its end, he began teasing the location of his next club, telling reporters back in 2015: "Where I go next, it will be a surprise, a very big surprise."

He then further hinted at a switch before Euro 2016, ruling out a return home to Malmo before adding he'll reveal the location when he's bored.

"I want you to still write a lot of stories, so I get excited when I see them, because I want to see who is making up the best story," Ibrahimovic said back on June 1. "When I'm tired of it, I'll let you know where I will go."

While Manchester United has yet to confirm the move, reports indicate the club is aware of Ibrahimovic's unique take on the transfer announcement:

Ibrahimovic was first linked to Manchester United midway through May, a few weeks prior to Jose Mourinho being announced as the Red Devils' newest manager. The Swedish striker was also linked with a move to Major League Soccer and a potential return to AC Milan.

He was even tempted with his very own kingdom by fourth-tier German outfit SC Rot-Weiss Oberhausen. But, it seems, the prospect of reuniting with his Inter Milan manager Mourinho proved adequate in securing his signature.

As May came to a close, Ibrahimovic finally confirmed rumours of a Premier League offer, telling reporters: "The future is written. I made my choice a long time ago. I just have to push the button."

Whispers of a move came to a standstill as Ibrahimovic led Sweden through Euro 2016, but he failed to score against the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, or Italy, and Sweden finished bottom of Group E.

It proved a subdued bow to an otherwise legendary international career as Ibrahimovic announced his national team retirement and turned his attention back to his club future.

Ibrahimovic is now set to extend his legend to the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford. He has yet to complete his medical for the club but, like many of the minor obstacles that have stood in his way throughout his career, it won't stop Ibrahimovic from strolling right through the door with both confidence and bravado.

Who needs a medical and an official announcement, anyway?