FERNANDO TORRES SIGNS NEW DEAL AT ATLETICO MADRID

Spanish striker Fernando Torres has signed a new deal at Atletico Madrid to prolong his stay at his boyhood club.

The 32-year old player had his contract with the club set to end in the summer, meaning he would have been a free agent but the reports in Spain claims the former Chelsea player penned a new deal for one more year.

Torres left Stamford Bridge in 2014 then after a poor spell on loan at AC Milan; he decided to return ‘home.’ He scored 11 goals in 30 appearances in the last campaign which were helpful as Atletico reached the final of the UEFA Champions League for the second time in three years, though they lost to Real Madrid for the second time through penalties.

First choice striker Antoine Griezmann also agreed to remain at the club, despite the huge number of clubs interested in the French forward. The new deal would tie the player till 2012. Both players are set to renew their striker partnership in the forthcoming season.

A statement from Torres which was released on the club’s website reads: “I am happy to be here. I never had any doubts about where I wanted to be during the course of this process, even though we didn’t know what was going to happen. In the end, the important thing is that I got what I had hoped for.”

The sporting director of the club Jose Luiz Caminero added that it was great news that the deal was finalized since the player belonged at the club. He added that Torres was a reference point to players from the academy as one who has stayed long at the club, won titles despite competing at the top level. The Spaniard wasn’t picked to play the Euro, so he spent his summer break holidaying but is back to resume when the pre season plans kicks off.