15 August 2011 Last updated at 14:36 GMT

Cesc Fabregas career in pictures

Cesc Fabregas, a member of the Spain team at the Under-17 World Championships in 2003, was signed later that year by Arsenal as a 16-year-old from Barcelona in a transfer reported to be worth £2.25m

28 October 2003: Fabregas makes his debut for Arsenal during the Carling Cup third-round match between the Gunners and Rotherham United at Highbury

2 December 2003: In Arsenal's 5-1 hammering of Wolves at Highbury, Fabregas becomes the Gunners' youngest ever goalscorer at the age of 16 years and 177 days

8 August 2004: Fabregas celebrates with his Arsenal team-mates after they win the Community Shield against Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff

8 May 2005: The Spaniard enjoys scoring the third goal during Arsenal's 3-1 Premier League victory over Liverpool at Highbury

Patrick Vieira and Arsenal squad celebrating

21 May 2005: Arsenal's Patrick Vieira lifts the FA Cup as he celebrates - alongside Fabregas - winning the final against Manchester United. The teams drew 0-0 with Arsenal winning 5-4 on penalties

1 March 2006: Fabregas makes his senior debut for Spain in a home international friendly against Ivory Coast at the Nuevo Sorilla Stadium in Valladolid

4 March 2008: The midfielder reacts to scoring the opening goal against AC Milan during the Champions League quarter-final match at the San Siro. Arsenal won the game 2-0

22 June 2008: Fabregas races away after scoring the winning penalty for his country during the Euro 2008 quarter-final match against Italy in Vienna, Austria

12 July 2010: Spain's goalkeeper Pepe Reina forces Fabregas to wear a Barcelona jersey as they celebrate the Spanish team victory in Madrid, a day after they won the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands

8 March 2011: The 24-year-old arrives for a press conference at the Nou Camp, ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash against Barcelona

The signing of Cesc Fabregas by Barcelona brings to an end an eight-year spell at Arsenal in which he made more than 300 first-team appearances for the Gunners

15 August 2011: Fabregas signs a five-year deal with Spanish giants Barcelona in a deal worth a potential £35m to Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas career in pictures

Services

About BBC Sport

Accessibility links

bbc.co.uk navigation

More Sport

Leagues & Competitions

Cesc Fabregas career in pictures

Also related to this story

Related Internet links

Services

About BBC Sport

BBC links