Liverpool legend Pepe Reina, 41, extends playing career by linking up with Arsenal hero

Arsenal icon Cesc Fabregas has swooped to sign former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina on a free transfer for Serie A newcomers Como after the Spanish veteran departed Villarreal.

The former Anfield fan favorite played 43 games across his two seasons with the Yellow Submarine in what was a second spell at the club. However, the 41-year-old found his game-time limited during the last campaign as he made only a couple of appearances in La Liga and will continue his career in Italy next term.

Heading to Lombardy to team up with Como head coach Fabregas, the pair previously crossed paths during their careers with the Spanish national team . After a 21 year absence from the Italian top flight, the club earned promotion last year after finishing as runners-up in the second tier.

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Reina will bring a wealth of experience to the upwardly-mobile outfit, having represented European giants including Bayern Munich and Barcelona during his career. Alongside new boss Fabregas, he also formed part of the Spanish squads that reigned victorious at the 2010 World Cup, alongside the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

He is perhaps best remembered for his eight-year stint on Merseyside, though, where he became a firm fan favorite during the years between 2005 and 2013. Earning the Premier League Golden Glove on three occasions during his time at Anfield, he made 394 appearances for the club.

In addition to this, the former Reds ace has played for three clubs in Serie A before today, having enjoyed spells with Napoli, AC Milan and Lazio previously. Speaking to the official Como website, Fabregas spoke in glowing terms about the newest addition to his squad as he looked forward to the upcoming season.

He said: "We are thrilled to welcome Pepe to the club. He is a goalkeeper with great international experience and a very competitive mentality," before issuing a vow to the club's supporters, adding: "For these reasons, I am sure that his contribution will help the team to grow and improve’.

Meanwhile, Reina's joy at signing on the dotted line for his new employers was palpable, as he said: "I arrive in a beautiful project, a family that continues to grow and tries to raise the bar every year. I return to a league that I know well and that I know is very competitive, for my part I want to give my contribution to the development of this club."

It remains to be seen whether the former Spain international will be installed as Como's new No. 1 ahead of the coming season. Having been an ever-present during the team's successful promotion-winning campaign last term, Adrian Semper will take some ousting as Fabregas' preferred starting goalkeeper.