Fernando Torres was welcomed by 45,000 fans yesterday as the striker said he was delighted to be back at Atletico Madrid.
Seven years after leaving the Spanish capital for Liverpool, the 30-year-old is back with his boyhood club and determined to rediscover former glories.
Torres built his reputation as a blistering frontman with Atleti, and transferred that to Liverpool where he ran up a tally of 65 Premier League goals alone.
That triggered Chelsea spending £50million on him in 2011, but despite winning the Champions and Europa League with the Blues, in terms of goals and performance, his time there can be considered disappointing.
He became a figure of fun for opposition supporters, scoring 45 goals in 172 games – just 20 of them in the league – and was shipped out on loan to AC Milan.
However, the indifference towards him has not reached Atletico, though, with the club’s fans turning out en masse to welcome
him back to the Vicente Calderon.
“Just over seven years since we parted, today we are here at last and for me this is a very special and exciting day,” Torres said.
“I know that I have come to a team of champions. This team is very competitive; I have enjoyed the victories from the outside.
"Last season is an example of what this club is. I am delighted to be back because it is always nice to come home.”
The forward added that feeling wanted was crucial to his return to the Rojiblancos.
“I thank everyone who made it possible, (president) Enrique Cerezo, (chief executive) Miguel Angel Gil and (coach) Diego Simoene,” he added.
“They have made me realise that I am wanted, that I am a major player.
“Personally I am more mature and happy. I have my family and that’s the most important thing to me. On a sporting level I left as a boy aged 24; I needed to leave for the club and myself to grow. It was the hardest decision of my career but thankfully time has proven us right.”
Torres could make his second debut for Atleti against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
