Fabregas completes move to Barcelona
Reuters - Monday 15 August 2011, 11:53
BARCELONA - An excited Cesc Fabregas was
preparing for the "greatest challenge of my life" after
completing his move from Arsenal to Barcelona on Monday.
The deal ended one of the most protracted transfer sagas of
modern times, Fabregas's boyhood club finally getting their man
after chasing him for three years.
The Spanish World Cup winner passed his medical and was
presented to around 30,000 Barca fans in the Nou Camp as he
returned to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.
"I have waited a long time for this moment. It's a very
special day," Fabregas told the supporters after signing a
five-year contract.
"I know that many of you were disappointed when I left but I
am here to take up the greatest challenge of my life. After
eight years away I hope to leave you all with many great
memories."
Vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu said Barca paid 29
million euros for the 24-year-old and that five
million more would be payable if the side won two La Liga titles
and one Champions League with him in the squad.
A further one million euros would be paid to Arsenal each
year out of the player's wages.
"It's been much more complicated than we expected," Bartomeu
said. "On top of the 29 million euros we were able to augment
our original offer thanks to the 'push' Cesc made to the deal."
WENGER PRAISE
Fabregas thanked his new coach Pep Guardiola and his former
boss Arsene Wenger who signed him from the Barca youth academy.
"I want to thank Pep Guardiola for the effort he made and
the confidence he gave me," Fabregas told reporters. "I am
prepared for the move now.
"I wasn't ready two or three years ago. I had various
options but I chose the most difficult path. I knew I wanted to
be with the best in the world.
"Wenger is a special person. He will always be like a second
father because he has given me everything in football," added
Fabregas.
"They have a bad image of him here but if I am here it is
due in large part to him. I will always have him in my head and
my heart."
Fabregas said he had been unable to tell Arsenal fans what
was happening, explaining the club had effectively gagged him.
"I'm sorry I could not speak to them and I am sad about
leaving as I spent one third of my life there, eight years. It
was a sad moment for me but life goes on," he added.
"The biggest regret I will have in my career is I did not
lift a trophy as Arsenal captain but I am sure they will be a
strong team again."
Fabregas did not play in the London's club Premier
League-winning campaign in 2004 but featured in their FA
Cup-winning side a year later.
He will have his first training session with Barca later on
Monday when the squad prepare for Wednesday's Spanish Super Cup
second leg against arch-rivals Real Madrid.
The first leg on Sunday ended in a 2-2 draw.
"I'm prepared to play," Fabregas said. "It all depends on
the coach but I am prepared to fight for everything."