Chelsea announced Thursday that the club has signed midfielder Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona on a five-year contract.
The 27-year-old, who made Spain's World Cup roster, plied his trade in the Premier League from 2003 to 2011 before making the switch to Barcelona, his boyhood club.
"Firstly I would like to thank everyone at FC Barcelona where I enjoyed three wonderful years," Fabregas said via Chelsea's official website. "It was my childhood club and I will always be proud and honored 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. 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."
Fabregas only managed to win one FA Cup title during his time with Arsenal, but the midfielder has claimed a host of trophies in his native Spain. In addition to his La Liga winners' medal with Barcelona from the 2012-13 season, Fabregas was a member of Spain's European Championship-winning teams of 2008 and 2012 as well as its World Cup-winning squad of 2010.
[SportsNetwork.com]
