Cesc
Fabregas has reunited with former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry after
joining Monaco from Chelsea.
The former Gunners midfielder leaves English football after 501 matches.
The 31-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the
Principality club, who are 19th in Ligue 1.
Despite Chelsea stalling over a move since Sunday as they sought a
replacement, Fabregas has signed in time to make his debut away to Marseille
this weekend.
"It is a great pleasure to join AS Monaco, a new project for me," said
Fabregas, who will wear the number 44 shirt.
"The group is of quality with young players and a young coach. I'm here to
help the team.
"I'm looking forward to starting. We have a great match to play in Marseille
on Sunday. I am very excited."
Chelsea are understood to be interested in replacing the Spaniard with
either Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella or Zenit St Petersburg midfielder
Leandro Paredes.
Fabregas left the pitch in tears after making his final appearance for
Chelsea in last Saturday's FA Cup third-round win over Nottingham Forest.
The Spanish midfielder began his career in England at Arsenal after joining
them from Barcelona's academy and was named as the club's captain in 2008.He
spent nearly eight years at Arsenal before returning to his boyhood club in
2011.
In Spain, Fabregas won the Copa del Rey and La Liga in successive seasons
before he returned to England in 2014 with Chelsea.
He won the League Cup and the Premier League in his first season, trophies
that had eluded him during his time at Arsenal.
Further title success came in the 2016/17 season before he lifted the FA Cup
for the first time last season.
Fabregas' latest challenge will be to try and save Monaco from relegation.
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