Chelsea have signed former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona on a five-year deal.
Chelsea have signed former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona on a five-year deal.
The Spaniard, 27, spent three years at Barca and joins the Blues after Arsenal turned down a first option to buy him.
Cesc Fabregas factfile
- Born Spain, May, 1987
- Joined Arsenal from Barcelona aged 16
- Scored 59 goals in 305 games for the Gunners
- Helped Arsenal win the 2005 FA Cup
- Scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for Barcelona
- Helped Barcelona win La Liga in 2013 and the Copa del Rey in 2012
- 13 goals in 89 appearances for Spain. Made a substitute appearance as they beat the Netherlands to win the 2010 World Cup
Fabregas joins for an undisclosed fee and said Chelsea matched his football ambitions, adding he had “unfinished business” in the Premier League.
“I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice,” he said.
While the fee for his move is unknown, the Spanish club were happy for him to leavefor a fee in the region of £30m.
The arrival of Fabregas at Chelsea comes 10 days after England midfielder Frank Lampard announced he would end his 13-year stay at Stamford Bridge. Defender David Luiz is alsoon the verge of completing a move to Paris St-Germain.
And Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is also keen to finalise the transfer of his Spanish team-mate Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid.
“They have an amazing squad of players and an incredible manager. I am fully committed to this team and I can’t wait to start playing,” added Fabregas, who has 89 caps for Spain.
Fabregas, who scored 50 times in 305 games for Arsenal during his previous spell in England, will join Ramires, Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel as central midfield options for Mourinho.
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