Cesc Fabregas was presented to around 30,000 Barcelona fans at the Nou Camp after completing the deal which sees him return to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas passed his medical and signed a five-year contract with Barcelona yesterday, the European champion said in a statement.

The move completes one of the most protracted transfer sagas of modern times, his boyhood club finally getting its man after chasing him for three years.

The 24-year-old Spanish World Cup winner was presented to around 30,000 Barcelona fans at the Nou Camp after completing the deal which sees him return to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.

Fabregas emerged onto the field wearing the No. 4 jersey before dribbling the ball and saluting fans, continuously patting the Barcelona crest between kisses and looking overwhelmed by the long-awaited return.

Many fans carried signs reading "Cesc welcome home" as they watched him don the navy and crimson jersey as a Barcelona player for the first time since 2003.

Fabregas is expected to train with his new teammates later, when he would get his first taste of where exactly he will fit into Barcelona's talented squad, which already includes Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Alexis Sanchez.

Barcelona said it paid 29 million euros (US$42 million) to Arsenal with extra variables set to take the figure to 39 million euros. Fabregas himself will pay the Gunners 1 million euros out of his salary for each season of the deal and the Spanish champion will pay up to 5 million euros more depending on trophies won.

The Catalan giant revealed yesterday that there was a buyout clause of 200 million euros in Fabregas's new contract.

"I have waited a long time for this moment. It's a very special day," Fabregas told a news conference.

"I know that many of you were disappointed when I left but I am here to take up the greatest challenge of my life. After eight years away I hope to leave you all with many great memories."

The Spaniard made more than 300 appearances for the Gunners but the only trophy Arsenal won while he was in north London was the FA Cup in 2005.

Fabregas announced his desire to move back to Barcelona after the 2009-10 season, but the Gunners refused to sell their most valuable player and he agreed to stay for one more year. A similar story line played out this offseason with the captain again stating his desire to return home, and Arsenal trying to fend off Barcelona's interest.

Preseason campaign

Fabregas sat out most of Arsenal's preseason campaign, with the club citing an injury worry, and he was not selected for the team's English Premier League opener on Saturday - a 0-0 draw at Newcastle United.

Fabregas could make his debut on Wednesday at the Nou Camp as the Spanish champion plays arch-rival Real Madrid in the return leg of the Spanish Super Cup after a 2-2 draw in Sunday's first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

Fabregas is the second signing after Barcelona paid 26 million euros to Italy's Udinese for Sanchez last month.