[Photo] Fabregas Poses In Chelsea Shirt After Sealing Move + Confirms Arsenal Snub

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, look away now Arsenal fans, Cesc Fabregas has completed his move to Chelsea….

Chelsea have announced the signing of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona on a five-year deal and the midfielder has confirmed that Arsenal turned down the chance to re-sign him this summer.

The 27-year-old’s future has been the subject of huge debate over the past few weeks after it became clear he was no longer part of Barcelona’s first team plans following the appointment of Luis Enrique as manager.

The midfielder forced a move back ‘home’ from Arsenal in 2011 following eight years in north London but his time back in Spain didn’t go according to plan, as he struggled to establish himself as a first team regular and was often played out of his favoured central midfield position.

Several clubs were in the running for his signature but Chelsea have announced on Chelseafc.com this afternoon that they have agreed a deal with Barcelona and the player has signed a five-year deal.

Fabregas took to his official Facebook page to share the first picture of him wearing his new No.4 Chelsea shirt. He took the opportunity to confirm that Arsenal rejected the opportunity to re-sign him and once they had passed up the chance, he claims a switch to Stamford Bridge was the best choice available to him as Chelsea matched his footballing ambitions and have ‘an incredible manager’.

Here’s the statement Cesc made on Facebook:

Firstly I would like to thank everyone at FC Barcelona where I enjoyed 3 wonderful years. 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 for me 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.

It was extremely important to me that this transfer was completed before the World Cup so that my mind will only be focused on hopefully helping my country try to retain the trophy.

No official fee has been release but it’s believed to be in the region of £28-£32m, so Arsenal should be in line for a small windfall due to a clause that means they make 50% of anything above the fee they sold him for three years ago.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news

This is easily the biggest transfer of the summer so far and I’m sure Chelsea fans will be delighted with the signing of a player like Fabregas. With Frank Lampard set to leave on a free transfer, Jose Mourinho needed to bring in a goal-scoring midfielder and Fabregas is one of the most creative players in Europe.

However, this move is certainly not going to go down too well in north London with Arsenal fans furious at seeing their former skipper joining a direct rival. Questions are rightfully being asked as to why the club have turned down the chance to re-sign the midfielder, and pressure is now firmly on Arsene Wenger to spend big this summer.