Cesc Fabregas has announced his retirement from a stunning career in football at the age of 36.
The midfielder shined at a young age for Arsenal before signing for a star-studded Barcelona side where he won LaLiga.
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Fabregas then returned to the Premier League in 2014 when he signed for Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles.
He also lifted the World Cup with Spain, sandwiched between back-to-back European Championship titles, during a career laden with individual and team success.
Taking to Instagram, he said: “It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots.
“From lifting the World Cup, the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and nearly all the European trophies, it has been a journey that I’ll never forget.”
Fabregas kicked off his career in the Barcelona academy before making the move to Arsenal in 2003.
Success in the FA Cup would come his way in his second season at the Gunners, and he started in their Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in 2006.
After 303 appearances that saw him score 57 goals and assist another 95, Fabregas left Arsenal and returned to La Liga in 2011.
Such a move back to Barcelona would prove to be hugely beneficial as he won the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, the Super Cup and Club World Cup in his first season.
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A further two campaigns would be spent at the Nou Camp in which he played alongside legends including Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta.
Chelsea came calling in 2014, and his Premier League debut for the Blues saw him produce a sublime assist for Andre Schurrle in their 3-1 win over Burnley.
Such quality was a sign of things to come as he lifted the title just a few months later, before doing so again in 2017.
Fabregas also collected winners’ medals in the FA Cup and League Cup at Chelsea, leaving after four-and-a-half seasons for Monaco in 2019.
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A 68-appearance stint in the south of France would be followed by a move to Serie B side Como in 2022.
He will remain at the Italian side despite retiring as he ventures into the world of coaching.
