Former Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36.
The midfielder - regarded as one of the finest lynchpins of his generation - ended a four-year stay at Monaco to join Italian Serie B side Como for the 2022-23 campaign.
Fabregas registered two assists in 17 league matches for Como in the most recent season, and his contract with the Serie B side was due to run for another 12 months.
However, the former Spain international has hung up his boots as he enters the coaching landscape, and he will start out as a manager with Como's reserve and primavera teams.
"It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots. From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, I will treasure them all," Fabregas wrote on social media.
It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots.
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) July 1, 2023
From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, I will treasure them all.
From lifting the World Cup, the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and... pic.twitter.com/Wuwj04WanB
"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.
"All those who have helped me, my teammates, coaches, directors, presidents, owners, fans and my agent. To all my family, from my parents and my sister to my wife and kids, I cherish your advice, mentorship and guidance. To my opponents who tried to knock me, thank you for making me stronger.
"It has already been more than worth it with all the great memories and friends that I have made on the way. I've also learnt 3 languages and became more compassionate and wiser along my travels. I lived experiences that I never thought in a million years I would even come close to.
"It's not all sadness though as I'm now going to cross the white line and start coaching the B and Primavera teams of Como 1907. A club and a project I couldn't be more excited about. This charming football team won my heart from the first minute and came to me at the perfect time in my career. I will grab it with both hands.
"So after 20 incredible years full of sacrifice, dedication and joy, it's time to say thank you and goodbye to the beautiful game. I loved every minute. Cesc."
© Reuters
Fabregas started out in the La Masia academy of Barcelona before making the move to Arsenal in 2003, making a name for himself in North London with 57 goals and 95 assists in 303 matches.
The 36-year-old won one FA Cup and two Community Shields with Arsenal, as well as reaching the final of the 2006 Champions League final, the same year that he was named the Golden Boy.
Fabregas subsequently returned to Barcelona in 2011 and recorded 42 goals and 50 assists in 150 games for the Catalan giants, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup.
After Arsenal passed up the chance to re-sign Fabregas in 2014, the midfielder joined London rivals Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles, the Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, coming up with 22 goals and 58 assists in 198 matches.
Following a successful five-year stay at Stamford Bridge, Fabregas registered four goals and nine assists in 68 games for Monaco, helping Les Monegasques qualify for the 2021-22 Champions League after a sustained Ligue 1 title charge.
At international level, Fabregas became a World Cup winner with Spain in 2010 - either side of Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 triumphs - amassing 15 goals and 36 assists in 110 games during a 10-year spell for the national team.
