Sports / Soccer
Fabregas transfer deal finally closed, gets No 4 shirt
15 Aug 2011 at 12:28hrs | Views
Cesc Fabregas has ended one of the longest running transfer sagas in English football by completing a move from Arsenal to Barcelona.
The deal is a five-year deal worth a potential £35m to Arsenal, with Fabregas' buy-out clause set at 200m euros by his hometown club Barcelona.
The former Arsenal captain, 24, said he moved back home to take up "the greatest challenge of my life".
According to the Barcelona website, Fabregas passed the medicals with ease.
"All the tests taken have been satisfactory," said Barcelona first-team doctor Ricard Pruna, who said Fabregas "can be integrated into training without any problem".
The finalisation of the Cesc Fabregas has ended one of the longest running transfer sagas in recent football history by completing a move from Arsenal to Barcelona.
"I waited many days, months and years for this moment," Fabregas told the fans. "It is a very special day. I return home after eight years. I know I disappointed many of you when I left, but I'm back for the challenge of my life. I hope to leave good memories."
Fabregas has been handed the No. 4 shirt at Barca and he said: "To get the No. 4 shirt is very special. I know there has been a debate about whether Thiago (Alcantara) should have it but I'm very pleased to be able to wear the No. 4."
Fabregas reserved special praise for Wenger, who has been a father figure to the midfielder during his years in England.
"I'll never have enough words to thank him for all he's done for me," he said. "I'll never forget him. I don't think he has such a good image here - he has been portrayed as something he's not, in my opinion.
"If today I am here with you then it's greatly due to him. I can't express my admiration for him strongly enough. I owe it to him that I am here."
The deal is a five-year deal worth a potential £35m to Arsenal, with Fabregas' buy-out clause set at 200m euros by his hometown club Barcelona.
The former Arsenal captain, 24, said he moved back home to take up "the greatest challenge of my life".
According to the Barcelona website, Fabregas passed the medicals with ease.
"All the tests taken have been satisfactory," said Barcelona first-team doctor Ricard Pruna, who said Fabregas "can be integrated into training without any problem".
"I waited many days, months and years for this moment," Fabregas told the fans. "It is a very special day. I return home after eight years. I know I disappointed many of you when I left, but I'm back for the challenge of my life. I hope to leave good memories."
Fabregas has been handed the No. 4 shirt at Barca and he said: "To get the No. 4 shirt is very special. I know there has been a debate about whether Thiago (Alcantara) should have it but I'm very pleased to be able to wear the No. 4."
Fabregas reserved special praise for Wenger, who has been a father figure to the midfielder during his years in England.
"I'll never have enough words to thank him for all he's done for me," he said. "I'll never forget him. I don't think he has such a good image here - he has been portrayed as something he's not, in my opinion.
"If today I am here with you then it's greatly due to him. I can't express my admiration for him strongly enough. I owe it to him that I am here."
Source - Barcelona
