BARCELONA, Spain (AP)-Cesc Fabregas' long-awaited return to his childhood club, finally materialized Monday when he signed a five-year contract with European champions Barcelona.
"It took many years, months, days to get here ... it's nice to be home after eight years, "said the Arsenal captain said former in Catalan during his presentation to the fans at Camp Nou stadium in which he has consistently embraced Barcelona crest.
But while Fabregas 24 years said it was one of the happiest days of his life put back in Barcelona Claret and blue, also acknowledged that he was bitter, he did not like a winner out of Arsenal.
"I gave up everything (and Arsenal). But it appears the club, because I really only won the FA Cup," said Fabregas. "One of the biggest regrets is not left Arsenal in the league."
Fabregas joined Arsenal in 2003 as a perspective of 16 years of Barcelona "La Masia" football academy. Less than a month Catalan midfielder became the youngest start-up of the history of Arsenal in 16 years. Arsenal continued to play some attractive football in Europe.
The most important titles, but never arrived.
"It was not really missed, was routine. Year after year, it was always the same thing," said Fabregas. "Fighting to the end just to see what we did not have the energy, the semi-final, final, to enter the final sprint."
Fabregas, who has known triumph with Spain as a world and European champion, said his goal is "to triumph in Barca, to add my part to make this team stronger."
Fabregas is expected to train with his new teammates later Monday when he would get his first taste of where exactly he will fit into Barcelona's talented team, which already includes Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Alexis Sanchez.
"This is the hardest challenge of my life," said Fabregas. "When you play with great players to learn a lot. I will work hard for the team, with humility, to earn a spot on the team and I will not stop until I do."
Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said Fabregas will not only provide three times the defending champions Spain's varieties in midfield, but the team is also a player who is completely immersed in the "culture of the boat."
With Fabregas hopes Barcelona has found the natural successor to the 31-year-Xavi, Iniesta and 27 years, and mentor for 20 years can Thiago Alcantara, who also get minutes this season in midfield.
Barcelona has said it will cost? 29000000 ($ 42 million), Arsenal set of additional variables to be read? 39000000 ($ 56 million).
Fabregas himself to pay the Gunners? 1 million (1.4 million dollars) from the salary of each period of trade and Spanish champions will pay up to? 5000000 (7000000 dollars) more, depending on the award-winning.
The agreement also includes a buyout clause? 200 million ($ 286 million).
Fabregas has expressed its intention to return to Barcelona after the 2009-10 season, but Arsenal refused to sell its most valuable player and Fabregas has agreed to remain for one year. A similar story played this offseason with the Arsenal captain, once again with his desire to return to Spain, Arsenal and Barcelona's interest in an attempt to fight.
"There were a couple of weeks long months of suffering. It is the worst pain of my life, but they were difficult days without knowing what my future would be," said Fabregas, who is number 4 on his childhood idol own and his current coach, Pep Guardiola, he said. "It seemed it would never end."
Barcelona had reserved for the No. 4 Fabregas since last year after leaving Rafa Marquez vacuum discharge.
This offseason, Cesc has lost most of the pre-season campaign with Arsenal, the club cited a injury problems and has not been selected for the first game of the Premier League team on Saturday, 0-0 draw at Newcastle.
While the last two years have been difficult, quoted Fabregas of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger as one of the keys to his development as a player and his subsequent movements.
"Wenger is a special person to me. It has always been a second father to me," said Fabregas. "I can never find the words to thank for what he did to me. I think he has a bad image here, and this is not true. If I am here, much of it is to his credit."
Fabregas were placed in 303 appearances 57 goals for Arsenal. He played the Spanish national team 58 times and was part of a team that won the 2010 World Cup and 2008 European Championship.
Fabregas could make his debut Wednesday at the Nou Camp as the Spanish champions Real Madrid play in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup after drawing 2-2 in the first stage on Sunday.
"I'm physically ready," Fabregas said, "but the decision of the coach."
AP Sports Writer Paul Logothetis in Madrid contributed to this report.
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