Zlatan Ibrahimovic BANISHES former Liverpool star from AC Milan dressing room

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced that a former Premier League star has been demoted to AC Milan's youth team after being told he is no longer part of the club's plans.

Since hanging up his boots following a second spell with the Rossoneri in 2023, Ibrahimovic has served as a senior advisor at the Serie A club and has clearly retained his characteristic abrasiveness in his new role.

After finishing a distant second to runaway leaders Inter last season, Stefano Pioli has set about improving his side for the coming campaign.

One player that could have played a role is former Liverpool striker Divock Origi, who is returning to the San Siro after spending last season on loan with Nottingham Forest.

The 29-year-old was reported to have signed a four-year deal after joining Milan on a free transfer from the Reds in 2022.

However, according to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Ibrahimovic has made it clear that the Belgian will no part in Milan's first-team plans this season.

'Divock Origi and Fode Ballo-Toure are not part of our plans,' he said. 'They will be part of the youth team as they’re not included in our project.'

Origi's maiden campaign in Serie A was hampered by injuries and he was restricted to just ten starts, with Pioli preferring the likes of Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao.

Never a particularly prolific forward, Origi struggled at the City Ground after joining Forest on deadline day in September.

Across 22 appearances in all competitions he netted just one goal, and the loan appeared set to be cut short in January with several MLS teams said to be interested before talks broke down.