Cesc Fabregas has signed an eight-year contract with Arsenal. Manager Arsene Wenger revealed last month the 19-year-old Spain midfielder was set to agree a deal to keep him at the north London club until 2014.

Fabregas, who joined Arsenal from Barcelona three years ago, had been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but he had stated his intention to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

He told the club's official website, www.arsenal.com: "I am so happy here and I am delighted to have signed this new contract that will keep me at the club for years to come.

"I wanted to pay back the club, especially Arsene Wenger for the support and faith he has shown in me. What is important now is for the team to realise its potential and win trophies.

"That is our main aim, that is my aim as well."

Wenger yesterday promised Arsenal shareholders that there will soon be more Englishmen in his team.

He made his annual address to the club's agm, admitting Arsenal's record had been poor in producing England-qualified players.

Wenger is aware that this must change. "We have less developed English players than young foreign talent," he said. "That is down to one basic reason: (England) has produced less talent because it responded later to the quality of the academy system. In the next three or four years we will have developed the top-level domestic talent we have growing at the club."