Fernando Torres says it is a “dream come true” to return home to Atletico Madrid.
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After a week of speculation, it was confirmed earlier today that the Spanish striker will return to his home town club on loan from AC Milan until the end of the 2015/16 season.
The Italian giants confirmed themselves on Saturday that they had secured a permanent deal for Torres, but have agreed to loan him to Atletico while Italy winger Alessio Cerci will head in the opposite direction.
Torres announced his homecoming himself on his Twitter feed, writing “At last back home. Thanks to all that have made this dream come true. Forza @Atleti.”
At last back home. Thanks to all that have made this dream come true. Forza @Atleti. #TorresHaVuelto pic.twitter.com/HZjMI5v6Gl
— Fernando Torres (@Torres) December 29, 2014
Minutes later he took to the stage at the Dubai International Sports Conference at Atlantis, The Palm, where he said is returning to the club that he feels a part of.
“It will be a dream come true,” said the 30 year old.
“I’ve said many times that I cannot hide where I come from. It’s been an honour and a privilege to be part of Atletico. I have supported them since I was a kid. I made my dream come true when I played my first game with them, when I was 17 years old.
“There is a time that everyone wants to go back home and feel the love of the people you are part of. Now I have a chance to go back and I’m really looking forward to meeting my team-mates, to start training and playing, to enjoy it again.
“For me they are the best supporters in the world so hopefully I can get a flight to Madrid as soon as possible.”
Torres has agreed to rejoin his boyhood club seven-and-a-half-years after leaving the Spanish capital to join Liverpool.
Atleti CEO Miguel Gil Marin, who appeared alongside Torres in Dubai, was applauded by the captive audience when he announced that the prodigal son would “come back home”
“We would like to announce here, because two minutes ago we did so on our website, that Milan and Atletico have agreed to the transfer of two players, Cerci to Milano and Fernando to Atletico,” said Marin.
“That for me is a great, great pleasure. Fernando will come back home.”
