Fernando Torres has set his sights on bringing the glory days back to Atletico Madrid after committing his future to the club until 2009.
The Spain striker was linked with big-money moves away from the Vicente Calderon this summer but opted to stick with his home-town club by signing a one-year extension to his existing contract.
Atletico have spent big during the close season in a bid to win their first Primera Liga title since 1996 - when they claimed the league-and-cup double - and Torres hopes he can play his part in the quest for silverware.
"I have experienced from the double to the demotion to the second division," the 22-year-old Atletico captain said at Tuesday's press conference.
"This club made my dream to become a professional footballer come true. I owe it a lot and now I want to help it get back to where it belongs. If not, I will continue to be indebted.
"We have to try to win titles."
Torres is now tied to Atletico until June 2009, but his new deal has included a reduced buy-out clause of 40million euros (£27m) - more than half the previous figure.
"This clause is nothing more than a symbolic gesture because if a player wants to leave a club, eventually he does," Torres added.
Torres made his debut against Leganes in 2001, when Atletico were in the Segunda Division, and scored his first goal for the club the following week against Albacete.
After helping Atletico win promotion back to the top flight in 2002, he was the top scorer in the Primera Liga in the 2003-04 season, while also becoming the youngest forward to represent Spain in the finals of a major tournament, when playing at Euro 2004.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said: "The story of Fernando Torres is different.
"His story, with many triumphs on a personal level, brought him his debut in the first team when he was 17 years old.
"Since that day, he hasn't stopped playing a leading role, becoming the focus in the dressing room, the captain and flying the flag for the club in the most difficult moments of its history."
Friday, September 22, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
UNITED TIE UP TORRES DEAL
MANCHESTER UNITED have been guaranteed Spanish striker Fernando Torres next summer - despite the Atletico Madrid star just signing a one-year contract extension with the La Liga club.
Sources in Spain confirmed last night that Torres, 22, is bound for Old Trafford next year after Atletico slashed his buy-out clause from 90million euros to 40m.
In return for Torres signing an extra year's deal, Atletico agreed to substantially mark down the buy-out clause - effectively giving United the green light to wrap up a deal early next year.
Even though Madrid ideally want around £28m for the hitman, it is thought United may get him for about £22m after the youngster agreed to give the Spanish club one more season.
Although Chelsea and Arsenal want the striker, Torres has privately told close friends he's only interested in going to Old Trafford.
A source close to the player said last night: "Ideally, Fernando would like to move in January but he realises that is unlikely now so he will wait until the summer.
Sources in Spain confirmed last night that Torres, 22, is bound for Old Trafford next year after Atletico slashed his buy-out clause from 90million euros to 40m.
In return for Torres signing an extra year's deal, Atletico agreed to substantially mark down the buy-out clause - effectively giving United the green light to wrap up a deal early next year.
Even though Madrid ideally want around £28m for the hitman, it is thought United may get him for about £22m after the youngster agreed to give the Spanish club one more season.
Although Chelsea and Arsenal want the striker, Torres has privately told close friends he's only interested in going to Old Trafford.
A source close to the player said last night: "Ideally, Fernando would like to move in January but he realises that is unlikely now so he will wait until the summer.
Torres eyes United move?
Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres has reportedly said he wants to join Manchester United in January.
It is believed the Spanish outfit have reduced his buy out clause in exchange for the player recently signing a new deal at the club - which has effectively given the Red Devils the green light to make their move for the forward in the transfer window.
It is believed the Spanish outfit have reduced his buy out clause in exchange for the player recently signing a new deal at the club - which has effectively given the Red Devils the green light to make their move for the forward in the transfer window.
Torres wants Man Utd move in January
Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres wants a move to Manchester United.
In return for Torres signing an extra year's deal, Atletico agreed to substantially mark down the buy-out clause - effectively giving United the green light to wrap up a deal early next year.
Even though Madrid ideally want around ?28m for the hitman, it is thought United may get him for about ?22m after the youngster agreed to give the Spanish club one more season.
Although Chelsea and Arsenal want the striker, Torres has privately told close friends he's only interested in going to Old Trafford.
A source close to the player told the People: "Ideally, Fernando would like to move in January but he realises that is unlikely now so he will wait until the summer.
"Playing for United is a prospect that really excites him."
In return for Torres signing an extra year's deal, Atletico agreed to substantially mark down the buy-out clause - effectively giving United the green light to wrap up a deal early next year.
Even though Madrid ideally want around ?28m for the hitman, it is thought United may get him for about ?22m after the youngster agreed to give the Spanish club one more season.
Although Chelsea and Arsenal want the striker, Torres has privately told close friends he's only interested in going to Old Trafford.
A source close to the player told the People: "Ideally, Fernando would like to move in January but he realises that is unlikely now so he will wait until the summer.
"Playing for United is a prospect that really excites him."
Torres hopes for new Man Utd approach
Fernando Torres remains in the sights of Manchester United.
United failed to convince Torres to quit Atletico Madrid over the summer, who instead will sign a new contract with his hometown club this week.
The Daily Star Sunday says Torres will extend his contract with Atletico for another 12 months after the club cut the buyout clause in his contract from ?63m to ?28m.
But the forward hopes the decision will lead to his transfer to Manchester United next summer.
United failed to convince Torres to quit Atletico Madrid over the summer, who instead will sign a new contract with his hometown club this week.
The Daily Star Sunday says Torres will extend his contract with Atletico for another 12 months after the club cut the buyout clause in his contract from ?63m to ?28m.
But the forward hopes the decision will lead to his transfer to Manchester United next summer.
ATLETICO BOUNCE BACK TO FORM
Atletico Madrid bounced back from last week's defeat against Valencia in emphatic fashion to claim a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Maxi Rodriguez put the visitors ahead early on as they looked to claim only their second win of the new Primera Liga campaign, and Martin Petrov added the second before the interval.
Sergio Aguero notched the third goal before Javier Martinez pulled one back but a last-minute penalty from Luciano Galletti added the gloss to a fine performance.
The first few minutes of the game were fragmented by clumsy fouls and poor passing but a fierce low drive from Maxi added some much needed quality to the game.
Daniel Aranzubia produced a smart save to tip the ball around the post for a corner, that failed to produce a goal threat.
Fernando Amorebieta found himself in space on the left but it was cleared out for a corner by Pablo Ibanez.
Francisco Yeste took the resulting corner for Bilbao which Tiko thumped over the bar from 20 yards after eight minutes.
Madrid's Petrov alerted Bilbao to his class when fired a 20-yard shot at goal that ended up going just wide.
But they took the lead soon afterwards when Aguero crossed from the right side for Maxi to convert from 12 yards with a cool finish.
Both sides had speculative long-range attempts at goal that lacked the necessary accuracy to score.
But Petrov showed them how it was done after 35 minutes with a sweet 25-yard curling shot with his left foot to double the lead before the interval.
Bilbao returned after the interval and seemed determined to make a fist of it and dominated possession without really creating anything.
It was something they would play heavily for in the 63rd minute when Peter Luccin funnelled a pass through to Aguero, who made no mistake from 20 yards with a clean strike.
That strike virtually killed the game as a contest although Yeste tried to pull one back with a 18-yard shot that was parried by Leo Franco.
Maxi thought he had doubled his tally for the evening but his goalbound effort was well saved by Aranzubia.
Yeste, who had been busy thoughout the game, was the architect of Bilbao's consolation as he broke down the left before centering the ball for Javi Martinez who made no mistake.
The scoring was completed when Aguero was brought down by a clumsy challenge in the area by Luis Prieto.
Galletti buried the resulting penalty to give his side an impressive 4-1 victory in an entertaining clash.
The win took Atletico up to a provisional sixth in the Primera Liga while Bilbao are second from bottom with just one point after three matches.
Maxi Rodriguez put the visitors ahead early on as they looked to claim only their second win of the new Primera Liga campaign, and Martin Petrov added the second before the interval.
Sergio Aguero notched the third goal before Javier Martinez pulled one back but a last-minute penalty from Luciano Galletti added the gloss to a fine performance.
The first few minutes of the game were fragmented by clumsy fouls and poor passing but a fierce low drive from Maxi added some much needed quality to the game.
Daniel Aranzubia produced a smart save to tip the ball around the post for a corner, that failed to produce a goal threat.
Fernando Amorebieta found himself in space on the left but it was cleared out for a corner by Pablo Ibanez.
Francisco Yeste took the resulting corner for Bilbao which Tiko thumped over the bar from 20 yards after eight minutes.
Madrid's Petrov alerted Bilbao to his class when fired a 20-yard shot at goal that ended up going just wide.
But they took the lead soon afterwards when Aguero crossed from the right side for Maxi to convert from 12 yards with a cool finish.
Both sides had speculative long-range attempts at goal that lacked the necessary accuracy to score.
But Petrov showed them how it was done after 35 minutes with a sweet 25-yard curling shot with his left foot to double the lead before the interval.
Bilbao returned after the interval and seemed determined to make a fist of it and dominated possession without really creating anything.
It was something they would play heavily for in the 63rd minute when Peter Luccin funnelled a pass through to Aguero, who made no mistake from 20 yards with a clean strike.
That strike virtually killed the game as a contest although Yeste tried to pull one back with a 18-yard shot that was parried by Leo Franco.
Maxi thought he had doubled his tally for the evening but his goalbound effort was well saved by Aranzubia.
Yeste, who had been busy thoughout the game, was the architect of Bilbao's consolation as he broke down the left before centering the ball for Javi Martinez who made no mistake.
The scoring was completed when Aguero was brought down by a clumsy challenge in the area by Luis Prieto.
Galletti buried the resulting penalty to give his side an impressive 4-1 victory in an entertaining clash.
The win took Atletico up to a provisional sixth in the Primera Liga while Bilbao are second from bottom with just one point after three matches.
Aguero stunned by Atletico Madrid fans
Sergio Aguero admits he's been taken aback by the reaction of Atletico Madrid fans to his arrival this season.
The Argentine teenager is regarded as the hottest signing Atletico has made in some years and he said: "The reaction of people has surprised me a lot.
"You imagine maybe if you play well in the first five games people will seek you out, but here it was the other way around. I hadn't played or even trained and yet people were welcoming me at the airport. I never imagined it.
"I could not walk, there was a pile of police. And later the same happened at my presentation and in training. At those moments, you say: what I did do?"
Aguero has been likened to Diego Maradona, but insists: "It is an exaggeration, we all know that Diego was a one-off. There is not going to be another one like Diego in history.
"On the one hand it pleases me that people say it, although I know that it does not mean much."
The Argentine teenager is regarded as the hottest signing Atletico has made in some years and he said: "The reaction of people has surprised me a lot.
"You imagine maybe if you play well in the first five games people will seek you out, but here it was the other way around. I hadn't played or even trained and yet people were welcoming me at the airport. I never imagined it.
"I could not walk, there was a pile of police. And later the same happened at my presentation and in training. At those moments, you say: what I did do?"
Aguero has been likened to Diego Maradona, but insists: "It is an exaggeration, we all know that Diego was a one-off. There is not going to be another one like Diego in history.
"On the one hand it pleases me that people say it, although I know that it does not mean much."
Give Atletico striker Aguero time to develop says Maxi
Argentina forward Maxi Rodriguez says that undue pressure should not be heaped on his compatriot and Atletico Madrid team mate Sergio Aguero, after the young striker drew widespread praise in Sunday's 4-1 away win at Athletic Bilbao.
The 18-year-old put in an impressive performance scoring his first official goal for Atletico, having a hand in a second and winning a penalty near the end of the comprehensive success.
"He's top class and we all hope he continues like this. But we have to be patient with him. We don't want to weigh him down with expectation because he will have off-days as well," Maxi was quoted as saying on the Atletico Web site on Tuesday.
Aguero, known as "El Kun" after a Japanese comic book hero, signed for Atletico from Independiente for a reported fee of $25-30 million at the end of May.
He has been touted as one of Argentina's most exciting prospects and has been described by Diego Maradona as a "phenomenon".
Atletico coach Javier Aguirre had resisted calls to play him from the start before Sunday, restricting him to substitute appearances, but with Spain striker Fernando Torres suspended, Aguirre gave Aguero his starting place.
Maxi, who scored the spectacular volleyed winner for Argentina against Mexico at the World Cup finals, pounced on Aguero's miscued shot for the opener in San Mames.
After Martin Petrov had added the second, Aguero cut inside his marker to score the third with a fierce shot, and was then hauled down in the area as he bore in on goal, for a last-minute penalty scored by Luciano Galletti.
The three points put Atletico seventh in the Primera Liga with two wins and a draw from their opening three matches, while Bilbao are 18th in the 20-team division, with just one point from their opening three games.
The 18-year-old put in an impressive performance scoring his first official goal for Atletico, having a hand in a second and winning a penalty near the end of the comprehensive success.
"He's top class and we all hope he continues like this. But we have to be patient with him. We don't want to weigh him down with expectation because he will have off-days as well," Maxi was quoted as saying on the Atletico Web site on Tuesday.
Aguero, known as "El Kun" after a Japanese comic book hero, signed for Atletico from Independiente for a reported fee of $25-30 million at the end of May.
He has been touted as one of Argentina's most exciting prospects and has been described by Diego Maradona as a "phenomenon".
Atletico coach Javier Aguirre had resisted calls to play him from the start before Sunday, restricting him to substitute appearances, but with Spain striker Fernando Torres suspended, Aguirre gave Aguero his starting place.
Maxi, who scored the spectacular volleyed winner for Argentina against Mexico at the World Cup finals, pounced on Aguero's miscued shot for the opener in San Mames.
After Martin Petrov had added the second, Aguero cut inside his marker to score the third with a fierce shot, and was then hauled down in the area as he bore in on goal, for a last-minute penalty scored by Luciano Galletti.
The three points put Atletico seventh in the Primera Liga with two wins and a draw from their opening three matches, while Bilbao are 18th in the 20-team division, with just one point from their opening three games.
Torres extends contract with Atletico Madrid to 2009
Spain striker Fernando Torres has agreed a contract extension with Atletico Madrid until 2009, the Primera Liga club said on Wednesday.
"It is an important day for the club and it's fans because Torres is more than just another player," Atletico said in a statement on their Web site.
"He was developed through our youth system and for some time now has been the reference for the club on and off the pitch.
"He is an example for all the youth players who dream of playing in the Vicente Calderon one day."
The official presentation of his one-year extension will take place on Sept.19.
The 22-year-old international was a reported target for Manchester United and Inter Milan after the World Cup, but he rejected their approaches to stay with Atletico.
Torres joined the club aged 11, scored his first goal with the first team in May 2001, and has been their leading scorer in each of the last four seasons.
He has notched up 14 goals in 37 appearances with Spain.
After a disappointing 10th-place finish in the league last year Atletico have spent around 50 million euros ($64 million) reinforcing their squad and are expecting to challenge for a Champions League place this season.
"It is an important day for the club and it's fans because Torres is more than just another player," Atletico said in a statement on their Web site.
"He was developed through our youth system and for some time now has been the reference for the club on and off the pitch.
"He is an example for all the youth players who dream of playing in the Vicente Calderon one day."
The official presentation of his one-year extension will take place on Sept.19.
The 22-year-old international was a reported target for Manchester United and Inter Milan after the World Cup, but he rejected their approaches to stay with Atletico.
Torres joined the club aged 11, scored his first goal with the first team in May 2001, and has been their leading scorer in each of the last four seasons.
He has notched up 14 goals in 37 appearances with Spain.
After a disappointing 10th-place finish in the league last year Atletico have spent around 50 million euros ($64 million) reinforcing their squad and are expecting to challenge for a Champions League place this season.
Liga's Argies hail Atletico Madrid whiz Aguero
The Spanish Liga's Argentines have been singing the praises of Atletico Madrid superkid Sergio Aguero after his scoring debut against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi said: "He's a grandisimo and I do not have doubts that he is going to go very far. He does not feel pressure, he plays as if there's no pressure at all. He is a great signing for Atletico and will give great joy to Spanish football."
Valencia defender Roberto Ayala said: "He is a player with great individual technique. He has everything to prevail in Spanish football, although also it will be necessary to give him time. In Argentina, he already has fully demonstrated the quality that he has inside."
Real Zaragoza's Gaby Milito said: "I played with him in my last game with Independiente. My last game was his debut. He already had been training with us for some time. His future is impressive and his football has enormous projection."
Barcelona star Lionel Messi said: "He's a grandisimo and I do not have doubts that he is going to go very far. He does not feel pressure, he plays as if there's no pressure at all. He is a great signing for Atletico and will give great joy to Spanish football."
Valencia defender Roberto Ayala said: "He is a player with great individual technique. He has everything to prevail in Spanish football, although also it will be necessary to give him time. In Argentina, he already has fully demonstrated the quality that he has inside."
Real Zaragoza's Gaby Milito said: "I played with him in my last game with Independiente. My last game was his debut. He already had been training with us for some time. His future is impressive and his football has enormous projection."
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