Mamadou Sakho has been given the all clear to resume his Liverpool career after his doping case was dismissed by UEFA.
The Frenchman had been waiting to learn for the last three months whether he would face punishment for breaching drug violations, his original 30-day suspension having elapsed in May.
The European governing body released a statement, just one day after a hearing was held at the Pullman Hotel in Paris, insisted that the case's proceedings was "dismissed."
The centre-back failed a drugs test back in March after Liverpool's Europa League last 16 second-leg against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford, although the news was not broken until over a month later.
He was provisionally suspended for 30 days after testing positive for a fat-burning substance, to which Sakho admitted taking. But his defence lawyers argued that the substance should not have been banned in the first place.
In response, UEFA launched an investigation - which finally reached a conclusion this week as it's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body ruled that Sakho's case be dropped after a hearing included results from World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory experts.
Reds defender available for next season after UEFA decide to drop case against him
After seeing out a 30-day ban, Sakho became eligible for selection for France's Euro 2016 squad after UEFA rejected the opportunity to extend his exclusion.
But Didier Deschamps, having been unavailable to pick him for his provisional 23-man squad, opted against his late inclusion - Sakho having also missed the Reds' final eight games of last season including the Europa League final.
At one time, Sakho risked facing a ban up to a potential two years - but the revelation that he will available for the start of the 2016-17 season means the club are unlikely to enter the transfer market looking for a new defender.
He would have been facing a minimum six-month ban, but after long pleading his case - declaring he was innocent throughout - Sakho has now had his charges cleared.
In an official club statement on Liverpoolfc.com, they said they welcomed the decision and added: "We are pleased for Mamadou that he can now resume his playing career."
Sakho, whose last appearance came back in April when he scored in Liverpool's 4-0 derby victory over Everton at Anfield, could now press for compensation as a result of missing the Euros in his homeland, with France playing Portugal in the final this Sunday, as well as missing a European final at club level.
The news emerged during Liverpool's 1-0 pre-season friendly win over Tranmere Rovers on Friday evening, with travelling supporters jubilantly greeting it with chants of Sakho's name at Prenton Park.
Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren, Sakho's two main rivals for starting spots next term, both started the first-half as Danny Ings' late strike gave the Reds a victory in their opening friendly.
After being cleared to return, the 26-year-old could make his bow away at Fleetwood Town on July 13.