Ex-Man Utd star Nani returns to European football after leaving the MLS

Italian outfit Venezia have announced the signing of former Manchester United winger Nani on a free transfer.

The Portuguese ace, 35, joins a team 17th in Serie A - just one point above the relegation zone - and will wear the No20 jersey.

Nani will play alongside Chelsea talent Ethan Ampadu, who is currently on loan at Venezia, having signed an 18-month deal in Italy.

He recently completed a three-year spell at Orlando City, scoring 28 goals in 77 MLS appearances and twice appearing for the prestigious All-Star team.

"I shall never forget how the fans and community supported me and my family ever since the moment we arrived in Florida," said Nani after leaving Orlando last November.

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"You will have in me a friend and a fan for the future. I wish you all the best."

Nani has won almost everything in the European game, lifting four Premier League titles, two League Cups, four Community Shields, the Champions League and Club World Cup during his seven-year stint at Old Trafford.

The 112-cap international also picked up four domestic cups at Sporting Lisbon across three spells and was part of the Portugal team that won Euro 2016.

Nani was at his peak during the 2010-11 campaign, winning Players' Player of the Year award at United and earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.

As well as his spells in England, Portugal and the US, he's played in Turkey for Fenerbahce, in Spain for Valencia and in Italy for Lazio.

Venezia have described the former United star as "one of the most talented wingers of his generation" at his unveiling in Venice.

Nani added: "I am really happy to have signed for Venezia! It's great to be part of this impressive project in such a beautiful city.

"It's time to get to work and give 100 per cent for the team and all the fans. Andiamo [here we go]!"

Nani was hailed as a "ridiculous player" by Rio Ferdinand last July. The United legend added: "If Man Utd had Nani now… what they would give to have him.

"He was frustrating but we talk about him in our WhatsApp group, he was a bad player! A proper player.

"The inconsistency was with his end product. He would do things in training that would blow your mind. Shift it, bang, left or right foot, top corner, the hardest shot you've ever seen.

"He might do that two out of five times in training but you don't get as many chances in a game and it was a little bit wild at times with him in matches.

"The only criticism with Nani is if he could've slowed down in those moments, just as he was going to shoot, if he could have slowed down like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, the top players, he would have been a different category man."