Cesc Fabregas is welcomed by Sandro Rosell
FABREGAS SEALS BARCELONA RETURN
Cesc Fabregas completed his return to Barcelona from Arsenal on Monday before admitting: "I've waited a long time for this moment."
Fabregas was unveiled by the European champions at the Nou Camp this afternoon after passing his medical and putting pen-to-paper on a five-year contract that includes a buy-out clause of 200 million euros.
The transfer, which could end up earning Arsenal 39 million euros, brings to an end one of the longest-running sagas in football, with the Catalan club having spent several years chasing a player who left them for the Gunners as a 16-year-old.
"I've waited a long time for this moment. It's a very special day. I'm returning home after eight years," said Fabregas on Monday.
"I'm grateful to everyone who have helped make today is one of the happiest days of my life. I hope to give my best to the club and that nobody regrets my signing."
Fabregas, 24, joins a Barca side widely regarded as one of the best in history and one that has picked up 10 pieces of silverware in just three years under Pep Guardiola.
The former Arsenal captain admits it is a huge test for him, but one he is not afraid of.
"It's the biggest challenge of my life," he said.
"I've chosen the most difficult path. It's a difficult challenge but I'm not afraid, just the reverse. I will fight until the last drop of sweat."
Fabregas, who will wear the number four shirt at Barca and becomes the club's second big-money signing of the summer after the arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Udinese, admits it was a relief for the move to finally be confirmed.
The transfer had looked to be coming to an end on Friday with suggestions that confirmation of a deal was imminent.
Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes said in a press conference that he believed the transfer was close to being finalised, while his team-mates Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique both sent Fabregas messages on Twitter to welcome their Spain colleague.
However, it was not until late on Sunnight that the an agreement between the two clubs was made official.
"They have been three or four intense days and I've tried to keep away from it all as much as possible. Until I had permission from Arsenal to travel I was not going to do it. In the end it has all been worth it," he said.
"I'm happy, as you can see. These have been long weeks where I didn't know what would happen with my future. They have been difficult in the sense of the uncertainty. A weight has been lifted."
Asked what he has learned from his time in England, the World Cup and European Championship winner said: "Now I have much more experience, I'm calmer.
"When you are younger you think of other objectives but I knew that sooner or later I was going to return. I have here the most difficult challenge of my life, but I have to work hard because Pep is very fair with the players."
Barcelona are next in action on Wednesday night when they host arch rivals Real Madrid in the second leg of the Spanish Supercup, having drawn Sunday night's first leg 2-2 at the Bernabeu.
"I didn't see the first leg last night as I was flying over," he said on Monday. "But physically I'm fine and ready for everything. It's up to the coach if I to play or not. I'm going to work very hard as always and enjoy it."
Meanwhile, Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta confirmed the club were not currently looking to bring in any more players this summer, although he did not completely rule out any new arrivals.
"The market never closes for a team like Barca, but at this time we are not looking," he said.
Cesc Fabregas Factfile
1987: May 4 - Born in Arenys de Mar, Catalonia.
1997: Joins Barcelona youth set-up.
2003: August - Top goalscorer and wins adidas Golden Shoe for being best player at the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.
September - Signs for Arsenal.
October 28 - Becomes the youngest player in Arsenal's history when he plays against Rotherham in League Cup.
2005: May - Helps Arsenal win FA Cup.
2006: March 1 - Wins first cap for Spain, featuring against the Ivory Coast.
March 28 - Scores in first-leg win over Juventus in Champions League quarter-final.
May 17 - Plays as Arsenal are defeated by Barca in the Champions League final.
June 14 - Became youngest player in Spanish history to participate in a World Cup when he features against Ukraine.
October 19 - Agrees new eight-year deal with Arsenal.
2007: July 13 - Admits to having met with Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon and sporting director Predrag Mijatovic about a move to the Spanish club, but following Thierry Henry's move to Barcelona says he could not leave Arsenal "in the lurch".
2008: May - Voted the PFA's Young Player of the Year.
June 29 - Starts as Spain win Euro 2008 final 1-0 against Germany.
October 7 - Reveals it would be a "dream to return to Barcelona some day".
November 24 - Named Arsenal skipper after William Gallas is stripped of captaincy.
December 23 - Ruled out of action for four months after sustaining a knee injury.
2009: March 17 - Denies an allegation of spitting at Hull assistant manager Brian Horton after Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win, although he is later charged and then cleared.
2010: April 26 - Included in the PFA Team of of the Year.
May 20 - Named in Spain's 2010 World Cup squad.
June 1 - Barcelona submit a written offer for Fabregas and enter "formal" discussions.
June 2 - Arsenal release a statement saying they have rejected the offer and have no intention of selling.
June/July - Makes four substitute appearances in seven games in Spain's triumphant World Cup campaign, setting up winning goal for Andres Iniesta in the final.
August 6 - Vows to respect Gunners' decision not to sell him and insists he will be "100% focused on playing for Arsenal" this season.
2011: March 8 - Apologises to Gunners fans after making mistake in the build-up to Barca's first goal in a 3-1 Champions League win over Arsenal at the Nou Camp.
June 20 - Barca president Sandro Rosell admits Catalan club are unwilling to meet Arsenal's £35million valuation of Fabregas.
August 9 - Included in Arsenal's Champions League squad for play-off round tie with Udinese.
August 14 - A deal is agreed in principle between Arsenal and Barcelona for Fabregas to return to the Nou Camp.
August 15 - Passes medical and signs five-year contract to complete transfer to Barca.




Cesc Fabregas is welcomed by Sandro Rosell
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