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Cesc Fabregas confirms he will LEAVE Monaco at the end of the season after injury-ravaged season

  /  autty

Cesc Fabregas has confirmed he will look for a 'fresh start' in the summer by leaving Monaco on a free contract once his deal expires in June.

The Spaniard joined the Ligue 1 outfit - who are three points behind second-placed Marseille with two league games to play - from Chelsea in January 2019 but has struggled with injuries this season at the Stade Louis II.

Hamstring and ankle issues as well as a bout of coronavirus have contributed to the former Arsenal and Barcelona star making just two league appearances and playing in one Europa League game in 2021-22.

The 2010 World Cup winner turned 35 earlier this month and there has been speculation this season that he could announce his retirement.

But speaking to So Foot, Fabregas confirmed he does not want to finish his playing career like this because 'this year has been so bad', despite claiming he has already been called by his former bosses to see if he wants to join their coaching staff.

Asked if he could stay put at his current club, Fabregas said: 'No, it's sure that it's over between Monaco and me. My contract expires next June, and I'm looking for a fresh start. My head needs a fresh start elsewhere.

'To be honest, I've already had two or three phone calls in the past two weeks from some of my former coaches to find out what I wanted to do, to see if I wanted to join them this summer as a coach.

'But this year has been so bad that I can't finish on that. Not after building this career. I want to keep playing. I'm grateful for the career I've had, but I don't feel like it's over.'

Fabregas has played in three of the five major European leagues during his career, but said he is 'open to anything', as long as he feels mentally right at any prospective new club.

'I'm open to anything, I just want to have fun,' Fabregas added.

'The place doesn't really matter, it's more my head that counts. When I'm fit I feel really good, when I'm training with my team-mates I don't feel any different when it comes to passion for the game.'

Fabregas has made more than 700 appearances during his professional club career, scoring 125 goals, while netting on 15 occasions in 110 games for his country.

He has won two Premier League titles with Chelsea and as many FA Cups - split between Arsenal and the Blues - as well as the Spanish title with Barcelona in 2012-13 and the Copa del Rey the season before.