Barca seal Fabregas deal

Barcelona have officially announced the signing of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, in a five-year deal worth around 39 million euros.

The La Liga outfit will pay the English Premier League club an initial guaranteed fee of 35 million euros for the midfielder, with another five million euros paid dependent upon how many games the Spain international plays for Barca and the number of trophies he wins during his time at the club.

The Catalans had been chasing their former youth-team midfielder for three seasons and finally agreed a deal to sign the 24-year-old on Monday, following weeks of arduous negotiations with the north London outfit.

Both clubs announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement in principle over the transfer, and Fabregas has now agreed personal terms and completed his medical.

Barca announced the deal on their official website: “Cesc has signed a contract that will keep him with Barcelona until 2016. He has a limited fee release clause of 200 million euros,” a statement read.

Speaking at his unveiling at Camp Nou, Fabregas said: “I have waited many years for this moment to come.”

“It is a very special day for me. I come back home after eight years, and this is the biggest challenge of my life, but I know that with your help, I will prevail.”