Chelsea sign former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas on five-year deal

 
Long term: Cesc Fabregas has joined Chelsea on a five-year deal
Rich Parry12 June 2014

Chelsea have completed the signing of Spain international, Cesc Fabregas.

Fabregas, who opted to stay at the Nou Camp last summer amidst strong interest from Manchester United, has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

In a statement released on the club's official website, Fabregas admitted he has 'unfinished business' in the Premier League.

Cesc Fabregas: Career highlights

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"Firstly I would like to thank everyone at FC Barcelona where I enjoyed three wonderful years," said Fabregas. "It was my childhood club and I will always be proud and honoured that I had a chance to play for such a great team.

"I do feel that I have unfinished business in the Premier League and now is the right time to return. Yes, everyone knows that Arsenal had the first option to sign me. They decided not to take this option and therefore it wasn't meant to be. I wish them well in the future.

"I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice. They match my footballing ambitions with their hunger and desire to win trophies. 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."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&amp;id=222025&amp;p=http://t.co/HisZOFO45O" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-231786-http://t.co/HisZOFO45O" data-vars-event-id="c23">http://t.co/HisZOFO45O</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&amp;id=222025&amp;p=http://t.co/TEGC0E6dhs" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-231786-http://t.co/TEGC0E6dhs" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/TEGC0E6dhs</a>— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/chelseafc/statuses/477103636162433024" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-231786-https://twitter.com/chelseafc/statuses/477103636162433024" data-vars-event-id="c23">June 12, 2014</a>

The fee - believed to be in the region of £27million - sees Fabregas return to England for his second spell in the capital, signing a contract worth around £156,000-a-week.

At Arsenal for eight years prior to his return to Spain, the Gunners had the option to buy him back from Barcelona, but Arsene Wenger's side had told club officials that they were not interested in a deal.

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