Former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.

The 36-year-old ends a career in which he won the World Cup with Spain, the Premier League twice with Chelsea, and La Liga with Barcelona.

“It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots,” Fabregas posted on Instagram.

He quits at the end of the first year of a two-year deal with Serie B club Como in Italy.

Fabregas says that he will now coach the reserve and youth teams for Como.

“It’s not all sadness, though, as I’m now going to cross the white line and start coaching the B and Primavera teams of Como 1907,” he added. “A club and a project I couldn’t be more excited about.

“This charming football team won my heart from the first minute and came to me at the perfect time in my career.

“So after 20 incredible years full of sacrifice, dedication and joy, it’s time to say thank you and goodbye to the beautiful game.

“I loved every minute.”

In 1997, when he was 10, Fabregas joined Barcelona’s La Masia academy.

After coming up through Barcelona’s youth system, he moved to Arsenal and played 212 Premier League games and won the FA Cup before moving back to Barcelona.

After three years at the Nou Camp, he joined Chelsea in 2014 and played just under 200 games in the Premier League.

He played for Monaco for three and a half years, making 68 appearances, but injuries limited his time on the pitch. He then moved to Como.

Fabregas played 110 times for Spain and helped them win their first World Cup in South Africa. They also won the European Championship twice, in 2008 and 2012.

“From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, I will treasure them all,” he continued.

“From lifting the World Cup, the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and nearly all the European trophies, it has been a journey that I’ll never forget.”