With Cesc Fabregas on the verge of a completing a move to Barcelona, we take a look at his career.
Skysports.com takes a look at the career of a World Cup winner
Arsenal have agreed to sell Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona, signalling the end of a long-running transfer saga.
Skysports.com takes a look at the midfielder's career to date, as he prepares to return to his Catalan roots.
1987: May 4 - Born in Arenys de Mar, Catalonia.
1997: Joins Barcelona youth set-up.
2003: August - Top goalscorer and wins adidas Golden Shoe for being best player at the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.
September - Signs for Arsenal.
October 28 - Becomes the youngest player in Arsenal's history when he plays against Rotherham in League Cup.
2005: May - Helps Arsenal win FA Cup.
2006: March 1 - Wins first cap for Spain, featuring against the Ivory Coast.
March 28 - Scores in first-leg win over Juventus in Champions League quarter-final.
May 17 - Plays as Arsenal are defeated by Barca in the Champions League final.
June 14 - Became youngest player in Spanish history to participate in a World Cup when he features against Ukraine.
October 19 - Agrees new eight-year deal with Arsenal.
2007: July 13 - Admits to having met with Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon and sporting director Predrag Mijatovic about a move to the Spanish club, but following Thierry Henry's move to Barcelona says he could not leave Arsenal "in the lurch".
2008: May - Voted the PFA's Young Player of the Year.
June 29 - Starts as Spain win Euro 2008 final 1-0 against Germany.
October 7 - Reveals it would be a "dream to return to Barcelona some day".
November 24 - Named Arsenal skipper after William Gallas is stripped of captaincy.
December 23 - Ruled out of action for four months after sustaining a knee injury.
2009: March 17 - Denies an allegation of spitting at Hull assistant manager Brian Horton after Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win, although he is later charged and then cleared.
2010: April 26 - Included in the PFA Team of the Year.
May 20 - Named in Spain's 2010 World Cup squad.
June 1 - Barcelona submit a written offer for Fabregas and enter "formal" discussions.
June 2 - Arsenal release a statement saying they have rejected the offer and have no intention of selling.
June/July - Makes four substitute appearances in seven games in Spain's triumphant World Cup campaign, setting up winning goal for Andres Iniesta in the final.
August 6 - Vows to respect Gunners' decision not to sell him and insists he will be "100% focused on playing for Arsenal" this season.
2011: March 8 - Apologises to Gunners fans after making mistake in the build-up to Barca's first goal in a 3-1 Champions League win over Arsenal at the Nou Camp.
June 20 - Barca president Sandro Rosell admits Catalan club are unwilling to meet Arsenal's £35million valuation of Fabregas.
August 9 - Included in Arsenal's Champions League squad for play-off round tie with Udinese.
August 14 - A deal is agreed in principle between Arsenal and Barcelona for Fabregas to return to the Nou Camp.
