BARCELONA, Spain - Spain midfield star Cesc Fabregas Monday completed his marathon move from Arsenal to Barcelona by signing a five-year contract that brought him "back home" to his boyhood club after eight years.
"Cesc has finally joined FC Barcelona, after signing a contract for the next five seasons. His buyout clause will be 200 million euros," the club said in a statement.
Barcelona deputy chairman Josep Maria Bartomeu said the fee was 29 million euros.
"In addition, if we win the league twice and the Champions league once in the next five seasons Arsenal will receive a bonus of five million euros, two (million) for each league win and one for the Champions League," he told a news conference alongside Fabregas.
"Furthermore, over the next five years ... the club will pay one million euros to Arsenal on behalf of Cesc," who is taking a massive salary cut to come to Spain, he said.
Fabregas, wearing the number 4 shirt, earlier appeared before some 35,000 cheering supporters at the Camp Nou stadium after passing a medical and signing the deal.
"I would like to thank all the fans," he said. "I have been waiting many days, months, years for this day. It's very special day, to come home after eight years away. I am here to face the most incredible challenge of my life."
Arsenal announced on Sunday that they had finally agreed a deal for the transfer of Fabregas to the Spanish and European champions, where he will link up with the likes of Argentine world player of the year Leo Messi and and Spain's World Cup stars Xavi Hernandez and David Villa.
The deal, which brings to an end to a transfer saga which began last year, takes Fabregas back to the club which he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted he had to let Fabregas go because his captain was no longer completely committed to the Gunners.
Wenger had forced Fabregas to stay at the Premier League club last season, but his often lacklustre performances hinted at his dissatisfaction and the French coach couldn't tolerate a repeat this term.
"Yes, we lost a world class player and we are sad about it. We did try to keep him but in the end we have to respect the desire of the player as well," Wenger told a press conference on Monday.
"It is very difficult to get the best out of a player, he has to be completely committed to where he is.
"If you understand one thing, it is that Cesc didn't go for financial reasons. He wanted to go back to his home city.
Fabregas told the news conference that relations with Wenger remained "fantastic."
"I spoke with him on Friday to say goodbye. It was very emotional because he was a father figure for me.
"If I am here now it's in large part because of him. I can't thank him enough."
He said he was grateful to the Arsenal fans, but told them "this was the right time to come to Barca," which was "the greatest club in the world."
The 24-year-old spent eight years at Arsenal and made 303 appearances, scoring 57 goals in all competitions.
Named as Arsenal captain in November 2008, Fabregas also became a regular in the Spanish national team and has made 58 appearances to date.
Barcelona defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique had already anticipated the move on Friday when they sent messages on their Twitter accounts welcoming the player before any official announcement.
"Welcome home, happy to have you here @cesc4official," Puyol tweeted, addressing his message to Cesc's Twitter account. "@cesc4official, we have got him," tweeted Pique.
Wenger left the player out of the side which drew 0-0 at Newcastle on Saturday.
"Cesc has finally joined FC Barcelona, after signing a contract for the next five seasons. His buyout clause will be 200 million euros," the club said in a statement.
Barcelona deputy chairman Josep Maria Bartomeu said the fee was 29 million euros.
"In addition, if we win the league twice and the Champions league once in the next five seasons Arsenal will receive a bonus of five million euros, two (million) for each league win and one for the Champions League," he told a news conference alongside Fabregas.
"Furthermore, over the next five years ... the club will pay one million euros to Arsenal on behalf of Cesc," who is taking a massive salary cut to come to Spain, he said.
Fabregas, wearing the number 4 shirt, earlier appeared before some 35,000 cheering supporters at the Camp Nou stadium after passing a medical and signing the deal.
"I would like to thank all the fans," he said. "I have been waiting many days, months, years for this day. It's very special day, to come home after eight years away. I am here to face the most incredible challenge of my life."
Arsenal announced on Sunday that they had finally agreed a deal for the transfer of Fabregas to the Spanish and European champions, where he will link up with the likes of Argentine world player of the year Leo Messi and and Spain's World Cup stars Xavi Hernandez and David Villa.
The deal, which brings to an end to a transfer saga which began last year, takes Fabregas back to the club which he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted he had to let Fabregas go because his captain was no longer completely committed to the Gunners.
Wenger had forced Fabregas to stay at the Premier League club last season, but his often lacklustre performances hinted at his dissatisfaction and the French coach couldn't tolerate a repeat this term.
"Yes, we lost a world class player and we are sad about it. We did try to keep him but in the end we have to respect the desire of the player as well," Wenger told a press conference on Monday.
"It is very difficult to get the best out of a player, he has to be completely committed to where he is.
"If you understand one thing, it is that Cesc didn't go for financial reasons. He wanted to go back to his home city.
Fabregas told the news conference that relations with Wenger remained "fantastic."
"I spoke with him on Friday to say goodbye. It was very emotional because he was a father figure for me.
"If I am here now it's in large part because of him. I can't thank him enough."
He said he was grateful to the Arsenal fans, but told them "this was the right time to come to Barca," which was "the greatest club in the world."
The 24-year-old spent eight years at Arsenal and made 303 appearances, scoring 57 goals in all competitions.
Named as Arsenal captain in November 2008, Fabregas also became a regular in the Spanish national team and has made 58 appearances to date.
Barcelona defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique had already anticipated the move on Friday when they sent messages on their Twitter accounts welcoming the player before any official announcement.
"Welcome home, happy to have you here @cesc4official," Puyol tweeted, addressing his message to Cesc's Twitter account. "@cesc4official, we have got him," tweeted Pique.
Wenger left the player out of the side which drew 0-0 at Newcastle on Saturday.
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