Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has joined Ligue 1 side Monaco.
The Spanish midfielder played his final game for Chelsea in their 2-0 FA Cup win against Nottingham Forest and came off to a standing ovation at Stamford Bridge.
Fabregas leaves Chelsea as a two-time Premier League champion as well as winning the FA Cup and League Cup during his four-and-a-half years at the club.
Monaco manager, and one of Fabregas’ former teammates, Thierry Henry said the pair regularly speak to each other. “Since my departure from Arsenal we talk every two or three days with Cesc,” he said. “It has not changed in recent days. He is a player who interests all clubs.”
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has used the midfielder sparingly and admitted it was time for Fabregas to begin the next stage of his career. “In my opinion, he needs to go,” Sarri said. “You know very well the situation. You know very well in this club there is a rule: the renewal of players over 30 is usually one year.
“He has an offer for two years. I don’t want a very important player as Cesc unhappy.”
Having joined Arsenal as a youth player from Barcelona in 2003, Fabregas spent seven full seasons under Arsene Wenger, during which he was named captain aged 21, before returning to Catalonia.
Fabregas’ dynamic and inventive style of play made him a standout player in England when he first erupted onto the scene, making him one of the most memorable players in recent Premier League history.
He played a role in Spain’s European Championship win in 2008 before being deployed in a false nine position during parts of the 2010 World Cup success that followed.
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