Arsenal's [Images] Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has agreed a new eight-year contract, manager Arsene Wenger has been quoted as saying by British media.

"Cesc will sign a new contract, yes, for eight years," Wenger said in Wednesday's edition of The Times.

The 19-year-old, who played at the World Cup, signed an extension last summer that was agreed when he negotiated his initial contract with the north London [Images] club.

• Images: Champions League

But Wenger added: "The real new contract is now. Nineteen plus eight is 27. There are not many players on contracts that long, but he's 19 years of age and already a regular player in the first team and I do not have a problem with it.

"I'm delighted because he was announced as a Real Madrid [Images] player a few months ago. It's a wonderful commitment and a reward for what we did for him when he was 16 and we brought him over."

Fabregas joined Arsenal from Barcelona's youth ranks in July 2003. Real Madrid expressed interest in taking the midfielder back to Spain during the close season but he made it clear he was happy in London.

"Everything with my new contract is agreed and next week I will sign it," Fabregas was quoted as saying in Wednesday's British newspapers.

"Seeing how much they (Arsenal) have improved it shows how well they believe that I'm progressing and it gives me the confidence to continue working under Arsene Wenger.

"He's one of the most important people I've come across in my career," added the player known simply as Cesc in Spain.

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