<P> Fàbregas came through La Masia , Barcelona 's youth academy , leaving at 16 when he was signed by Premier League club Arsenal in September 2003 . Following injuries to key midfielders in the early part of the 2004 -- 05 season , he went on establish himself in the team . He broke several of the club 's records in the process , earning a reputation as one of the best players in his position , and won the FA Cup in 2005 . After a protracted transfer saga , Fàbregas left London on 15 August 2011 to return to Barcelona in a deal worth up to £ 35 million . During his three - year spell at the Camp Nou , Fàbregas played alongside Xavi and Andrés Iniesta and won a La Liga title , the Copa del Rey , the FIFA Club World Cup , the UEFA Super Cup and two Spanish Super Cups . He returned to London in June 2014 to Arsenal 's cross-town rivals Chelsea for a fee of £ 30 million , and in his first year there he helped to secure League Cup and Premier League triumphs . </P>
<P> Fàbregas came through La Masia , Barcelona 's youth academy , leaving at 16 when he was signed by Premier League club Arsenal in September 2003 . Following injuries to key midfielders in the early part of the 2004 -- 05 season , he went on establish himself in the team . He broke several of the club 's records in the process , earning a reputation as one of the best players in his position , and won the FA Cup in 2005 . After a protracted transfer saga , Fàbregas left London on 15 August 2011 to return to Barcelona in a deal worth up to £ 35 million . During his three - year spell at the Camp Nou , Fàbregas played alongside Xavi and Andrés Iniesta and won a La Liga title , the Copa del Rey , the FIFA Club World Cup , the UEFA Super Cup and two Spanish Super Cups . He returned to London in June 2014 to Arsenal 's cross-town rivals Chelsea for a fee of £ 30 million , and in his first year there he helped to secure League Cup and Premier League triumphs . </P>
how old was fabregas when he joined arsenal
how old was fabregas when he joined arsenal
16
16