FERNANDO TORRES revealed he is leaving Atletico Madrid “for the benefit of the club” in an emotional farewell.
The Spanish striker, 34, is saying goodbye to his boyhood club for a second time this summer after falling behind Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann in the pecking order.
He said: “I will always put Atletico before me, they are the most important thing to me.
“My biggest dream has always been to play here and that is when I was a child and grown up, it is what I wanted most.
“This is the second time I have had to give that up and both times have been for the benefit of the club, and I would do it a third time and a fourth.
“This club means everything to me and they will always be in my heart.”
Torres looks set to carry on his career in the MLS after his agent ruled out a Premier League return.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea star has scored eight goals this season.
He returned to Atletico in 2015 on loan from AC Milan and signed permanently the following season.
Torres began his career with the Spanish club in 2001 before leaving for the Premier League six years later.
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Atletico president Enrique Cerezo hinted a director role is a possibility for Torres after insisting he will always be welcome at the Wanda Metropolitano.
He said: “Fernando is a legend of our club.
“The doors of Atletico de Madrid will always be open for him.
“We have always said that he would have the decision about his future because this is his home and if he has decided to continue his professional career from the next season in another place, I can only thank him for everything he has given us, which is a lot.”
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