ANKARA

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will get his famed No. 7 shirt back in his second stint at Manchester United, the English Premier League club said Thursday. 

"Manchester United can confirm that Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the iconic no.7 shirt after returning to Old Trafford. The Portuguese superstar famously wore the legendary shirt number during his first spell at United, and we can now confirm that Ronaldo will have it on his back once again," the club said on its website.

𝙉𝙤𝙬 it's official 😍

7️⃣ @Cristiano#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2021

Ronaldo has inherited the No. 7 shirt from Edinson Cavani, as the Uruguayan forward wore it last season.

Cavani did not keep it as a kind gesture and switched to No. 21, which he has been wearing in the Uruguayan national team.

Ronaldo thanked Cavani for his courtesy.

"I wasn't sure if it would be possible to have the number seven shirt again, so I would like to say a huge thank you to Edi for this incredible gesture," Ronaldo said.

The No. 7 shirt is one of the valuable kits for Manchester United as it was previously worn by several Man Utd greats such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

Ronaldo, 36, played in 292 matches to score 118 goals for Manchester United in 2003-2009.

In his first spell at Man Utd, Ronaldo won three Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.

Following the international break, Ronaldo is expected to return to Old Trafford as a Manchester United player as they will face Newcastle United at home on Sept. 11.