Cesc Fabregas Joins Barcelona, Leaves Arsenal on $40 Million Transfer

by Jesse Scardina on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 8:30PM

One of the best players to leave the legendary Barcelona Youth Camp has finally returned to his parent club, as Cesc Fabregas joined the Catalyn Giants on transfer Monday.

With at least $40 million heading toward Arsenal in exchange for the World Cup champion, Fabregas leaves a team in transition for a team that can't find spots on the field for all their talent — including their newest midfielder.

With a center midfield duo rivaled by no one in Andres Iniesta and Xavi, it's going to take some fancy managing by Pep Guardiola to fit all his talent onto the pitch.

When Fabregas was just 10 years old, he joined the Barca Youth Camp, before Arsenal bought him and made him their youngest player to see the field, when at 16 he suited up for the Gunners in the League Cup.

His English and Spanish squads have crossed paths multiple times with Fabregas directly in the middle of it, with Barcelona gaining the advantage first in the 2006 Champions League Final and in the last two years, as Barca has knocked the Gunners out of European competition.

"I waited many days, months and years for this moment," Fabregas told fans at his welcoming press conference. "It is a very special day. I return home after eight years. I know I disappointed many of you when I left, but I'm back for the challenge of my life. I hope to leave good memories."