Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas says he plans to play in MLS rather than the Chinese Super League once his career in European football is over, and admits he is intrigued by the possibility of going into coaching when he retires.
Fabregas, 29, has enjoyed a remarkably successful career since breaking into the Arsenal first team as a 16-year-old, winning every major domestic trophy in England and Spain with the Gunners, Barcelona and Chelsea, as well as claiming the World Cup and two European Championships at international level.
And while insisting that he still has many years left at the top level, Fabregas said he has identified the United States over China as the place where he would like to spend the twilight years of his professional career.
Asked by journalist Natacha Tannous whether he would consider playing in China, Fabregas replied: "Once I don't think I could play in Europe, my plan at the moment would be to go to the States, but you never really know."
On the subject of a possible future in coaching, he added: "In my mind I have plans to take the badges and study for it.
"It's something that motivates me for the future, but at the same time I'm still very young and only focusing on the football. I hope I still have many more years of playing, but I can see myself trying it in the future."
Fabregas has performed impressively for Chelsea this season despite being reduced to more of a fringe role under Antonio Conte, registering five goals and seven assists in 28 appearances in all competitions -- including an opportunistic strike in the Blues' 3-1 win over former club Arsenal on Saturday.
The midfielder was booed at Stamford Bridge by Gunners supporters who have never forgiven him for joining their London rivals from Barcelona, but Fabregas insists he will always feel gratitude and affection for Arsenal regardless of how he is treated.
"There are many things said about me and Arsenal, but I don't really care what people think about me anymore," he said. "It's just about what I feel towards them, and Arsenal will always be the team that believed in me the most.
"I was a young kid, 16 years old, playing for the Barcelona academy where it was very difficult to reach a first-team spot, and Arsene Wenger and Arsenal gave me everything.
"Without them I wouldn't be a World Cup winner, a European Championship winner, and I would not have experienced all that I am doing in my life. I will always be grateful."