Fernando
Torres has finalised his move from Chelsea to AC Milan on a two-year loan
deal.
The 30-year-old 2010 World Cup winner will now play for the Serie A side
following three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge, in which time he helped
Chelsea lift the Champions League, the Europa League and the FA Cup.
Torres joined Chelsea from Liverpool in January 2011 for a then British
record transfer fee of £50million and will be out of contract at Stamford
Bridge in 2016.
The former Atletico Madrid star struggled to capture the same form at
Chelsea that had at times electrified Anfield and went through several
lengthy spells without scoring. He managed only 20 goals in 110 Premier
League appearances for the Blues.
He did, however, score 22 goals in the 2012/13 season spread over seven
different competitions, a Chelsea club record.
And his highlights include his Champions League semi-final breakaway goal
against Barcelona at the Nou Camp and the goal that helped beat Benfica to
lift the Europa League trophy a year later.
For Spain, while at Chelsea, he helped his country to a second successive
European Championship in 2012, securing the Golden Boot in the process
thanks to his three goals, one of which was in the final where he also teed
up club-mate Juan Mata to put the icing on a 4-0 win over Italy.
In the Europa League he scored key goals against Steaua Bucharest and Rubin
Kazan before his opener in the final in Amsterdam.
He also netted Chelsea’s final goal of last season, a late winner at
Cardiff, having earlier in the season raised the roof at Stamford Bridge
with an even later goal that defeated Manchester City in the 90th minute.
Torres told Milan Channel on Saturday: "It’s an honour and a privilege to
wear this shirt. I want to take the side back into the Champions League and
perhaps stay here for many years.
"I know some of the players like Alex, Essien, Diego Lopez. Demetrio
Albertini also spoke well of Milan and he’s a great friend of mine.
"I was close to joining Milan when I was at Atletico Madrid, but we’re
talking about many years ago, a long time has since passed. I know the
history of the club and it is illustrious. I want to make the fans happy. I
couldn’t wait to arrive and start the new season. I have already spoken to
the coach."
Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi is hoping he can help Torres rediscover his best
form in Serie A.
"I've spoken to Torres," said the former Italy forward. "I found out what
kind of person he is and it all seems very positive. It is up to me to get
him back to the levels he is capable of and I will study his best position."
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