Ex-Man Utd star Nani returns to European football after leaving MLS from Orlando City

Former Portugal international Nani left Orlando City in November and has previously played for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Fenerbahce, Valencia and Lazio

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

The Portuguese ace, 35, joins a side 17th in Serie A – just one point above the relegation zone – and will wear the No.20 shirt.

Nani will play alongside Chelsea talent Ethan Ampadu, who is currently on loan at Venezia, after signing an 18-month contract in Italy.

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

“I will never forget how the fans and the community have supported me and my family from the moment we arrived in Florida,” Nani said 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 the best.”

Nani won nearly everything in European play, winning four Premier League titles, two League Cups, four Community Shields, the Champions League and the Club World Cup during his seven-year spell at Old Trafford.

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

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

In addition to his stints in England, Portugal and the United States, he played in Turkey for Fenerbahce, in Spain for Valencia and in Italy for Lazio.

Venezia described the former United star as “one of the most talented wingers of his generation” when he was unveiled in Venice.

Nani added: “I’m 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 down to business and give 100% for the team and all the fans. Andiamo [here we go]!”

Nani was called 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 it in our WhatsApp group, he was a bad player! A real player.

“The inconsistency was with his end product. He was doing things in practice that would blow your mind. Move him, bang, left or right foot, top corner, hardest hit you’ve ever seen.

“He could do it two out of five times in training, but you don’t get that many chances in a game and it was a bit wild with him in games at times.

“The only criticism with Nani is that if he could have slowed down in those moments, just when he was going to shoot, if he could have slowed down like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, the best players, he would have been a category different man.”