Champions League runners-up Liverpool have finally signed Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid on a six-year deal for a fee believed to be £20m. Sensationally, Reds boss Rafael Benitez said the 23-year-old Spanish striker, who passed a medical on Tuesday, has taken a pay cut to secure the move.
In a heartening message to Liverpool fans Fernando Torres stated: "The Liverpool offer arrived and I told the club to listen to that offer as that is the team I wanted to play for. It's one of the best, if not the best, club in Europe."
The Spanish international returned to Madrid to say farewell to the Atletico supporters before traveling back to Merseyside to be unveiled by his new club. He had been at Atletico since he was 11 and became their youngest ever captain at the age of 19. Torres has been the Spanish club's leading scorer in each of the last five campaigns, scoring 14 league goals in 36 starts last season as the side finished seventh in La Liga.
"It has been a difficult decision to leave my all-time club," said Torres. "But it would have been hard for me to reject Liverpool's offer. It is a big leap for me and I think it was the right thing for everyone. The time comes in the life of a player that he needs more challenges."
Torres will wear the number nine shirt worn by ex-Anfield legends Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler.
His capture also shatters the £14m the Reds paid Auxerre for striker Djibril Cisse as the club's previous record signing three seasons ago.
"The fact that Liverpool are giving me the number nine jersey just goes to show the confidence they have placed in me, when considering those who have worn that shirt before me," said Torres.
"A new beautiful adventure begins for me and I hope that with work and effort I can be among the best players. This is a unique opportunity for me. Liverpool aspire to everything and that has been and that was an important factor in my decision to go there. I want to adapt as quickly as possible. I think Premiership is a football that adapts well to my style.”
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