Icons Legend of the Week #4: Cesc Fabregas

In the fourth of our series of Icons Legends, we turn our attention to the man at the centre of the transfer saga of the summer - Arsenal captain and Spain international Cesc Fabregas.

Of all the signings we have conducted here at Icons.com over the years, the friendly and humble 24-year-old remains one of our favourites.

Since he was plucked from Barcelona's youth academy at the age of 16, Fabregas has established himself as the Gunners' heartbeat, and blossomed into of the most gifted midfielders in world football.

But after six trophyless seasons in North London the Catalan-born maestro could be forgiven for having his head turned by his boyhood club. Arsenal - reluctant to let go of their prized possession - are holding out for a bid of £40m, while the all-conquering Barcelona are doing their best to lower that price. With negotiations between the clubs seemingly ongoing, it will all come to a head in the coming weeks.

Fabregas arrived at Arsenal in September 2003, and a month later became the club's youngest ever goal-scorer when he netted in a League Cup tie against Rotherham at 16 years and 177 days.

The following season Fabregas signed his first professional deal with the club and was thrust into the shoes of the injured Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira. With a calmness on the ball that defied his years, exquisite technique and passing ability, Fabregas made waves in the footballing world.

He became Arsenal's youngest league goal-scorer when he struck against Blackburn Rovers, and followed that up with a goal in a 5-1 victory over Norwegian side Rosenborg which made him the second youngest goal-scorer in Champions League history.

When Patrick Vieira departed for Juventus in 2005, Fabregas was handed the iconic number 4 shirt as Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger elected to put his faith in this exceptional young talent. He did not dissapoint.

His consistently impressive performances did not go unnoticed by Spain coach Luis Aragones either, and when he made his international debut in a friendly against the Ivory Coast in 2006, he became the youngest player to appear for the national team in 70 years. Fabregas has since been ever-present for the current European and World Champions, and it was his pass in extra-time of the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands that released Andres Iniesta to score the winning goal.

Arsenal have been unable to claim any silverware since their FA Cup victory in 2005, but the contribution and consistency of Fabregas, captain since 2008, has been remarkable in terms of goals and assists.

Arsenal struggled in his absence due to injury last season, and if Barcelona get their way, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will face the almost impossible task of replacing a player who has come to embody his side.

We at Icons.com will be certain to meet with Cesc for another signing session soon. Whether it be in North London or Catalonia, however, remains to be seen.