Cesc Fàbregas has left Chelsea for the Ligue 1 side Monaco. The 31-year-old will join his former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry, who is battling to prevent Monaco being relegated.

“Wow. I’m honoured to announce that I will be starting an exciting journey with this wonderfully historic club,” Fàbregas tweeted. “AS Monaco will be my home for the next 3.5 years, and I cannot wait to start this new challenge.”

Fàbregas made 198 appearances for Chelsea over a four-and-a-half year period in which the club won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup. He bid fans an emotional farewell at Stamford Bridge during last Saturday’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest.

“We thank Cesc for his wonderful service and wish him the very best of luck for the next chapter in what has been a fantastic career,” a statement on Chelsea’s website said.

“There is no doubt Fàbregas’s place in the Chelsea history books is assured given his achievements over the past four-and-a-half seasons. Big goals and outstanding moments of quality ... [as] part of a successful, trophy-winning team.”

The Spain midfielder has reportedly cost Henry’s side €10m (£8.9m), part of a recruitment drive as they bid to beat the drop. Monaco are 17th in Ligue 1 and have already signed the Schalke defender Naldo and the Lille full-back Fodé Ballo-Touré in January.

Southampton’s Gabbiadini seals Sampdoria switch

Manolo Gabbiadini has completed his £12m transfer from Southampton to Sampdoria, ending his two-year stay in the Premier League.

The forward started strongly at St Mary’s, scoring twice at Wembley in the 2017 League Cup final defeat to Manchester United, and also netted a crucial goal at Swansea to keep Southampton up last season.

The 27-year-old struggled to maintain his early form, scoring just 12 goals in 60 appearances, and had not featured at all under Ralph Hasenhüttl. His exit follows the departure of Steven Davis to Rangers on loan, with the defender Wesley Hoedt and the goalkeeper Fraser Forster also free to leave.