Former Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Spain international Fernando Torres announced his retirement from professional football on Friday.
“I have something very important to announce. After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end to my football career,” said Torres on social media.
“Next Sunday, the 23rd at 10:00AM, local time in Japan, I will have a press conference in Tokyo to explain all the details. See you there.”
https://twitter.com/Torres/status/1141934249362124801
The striker enjoyed an illustrious career at the highest level of world football. He scored 111 goals for Atletico Madrid in 334 appearances over two stints. He moved to Liverpool for £20 million in 2007 where he struck 81 times over four years, 33 in his debut season under Rafael Benítez.
He joined Chelsea in 2010. While not as prolific during as his spell at Anfield — he scored 45 goals in 172 games as Blue — he won silverware.
His last-minute goal against Barcelona in the 2011-12 Champions League semi-final sealed his name into Chelsea folklore. The team went on to win the UCL trophy that year along with the FA Cup trophy, followed by a Europa League title in the 2012-13 season.
Torres remains the top scoring Spaniard in the Premier League with a total of 85 goals.
Torres also starred at the international level, helping Spain win to back to back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, along with the World Cup in 2010.
After a return to his boyhood club Atletico Madrid in 2015, Torres netted an additional 27 goals in over 100 appearances. He won the Europa League in his last season before signing for Sagan Tosu in Japan's first league.
