Cesc Fabregas wastes no time in kissing the Barcelona badge

Well, that didn't take long. The badge kissing, I mean. Not the two-year negotiation between Arsenal and Barcelona that made everyone want to suffocate themselves in Carles Puyol's hair, which, thankfully, is now over (even if you're a Sunderland fan, I think throwing an "end of the Cesc debacle" party is perfectly reasonable.)

The final compromises were made and agreed to on Sunday. Here's the Guardian's breakdown of the deal:

The deal is worth 29m (25.5m), to be paid by Barcelona in two instalments, plus 5m (4.4m) in bonuses dependent on the club's success and another 5m to be paid by Fbregas to Arsenal, 1m for each year of his new contract. Fbregas, who was presented to fans at Camp Nou, will wear the No4 shirt.

Speaking at a press conference, he said: "For me it's a special day. I'm returning home. I know that the Arsenal fans will be disappointed with my exit from the club, but I'm here to face an incredible challenge, the challenge of my life."

Yes, the challenge of his life is to help a team that already wins everything rather than captain a said that hasn't won anything in six years to the success they desperately crave. Cesc understands what it means to "face an incredible challenge."

And once at the Camp Nou -- back home, where his "Barca DNA" can finally flourish as a borderline unnecessary supporting player -- he made out with that badge like it was made out of waffles. Any and all memory of the club he captained as of a few short hours ago seemed to disappear. I'm sure he'll have plenty of time to remember his days at Arsena! l while watching Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and the rest of the starting XI win trophies, though.

Photo: Getty