Monaco have signed midfielder Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea.
Fabregas, who had six months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, said a tearful farewell to supporters after captaining Chelsea in last weekend’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest.
He has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Monaco, who are 19th in Ligue 1 and coached by his former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry.
Fabregas leaves Stamford Bridge after a four-and-a-half-year spell that saw him play a key role in two Premier League title triumphs and win the FA Cup and the League Cup.
His departure could force Chelsea into the market for midfield reinforcements, with head coach Maurizio Sarri having felt Fabregas was the only player in his squad technically equipped to fill in for Jorginho as a deep-lying playmaker.