Spain forward Fernando Torres (C) runs with his children during his presentation ceremony at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, January 4, 2015. Torres is returning to his beloved hometown club Atletico Madrid "in pursuit of happiness", he said
Spain forward Fernando Torres (C) runs with his children during his presentation ceremony at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, January 4, 2015. Torres is returning to his beloved hometown club Atletico Madrid "in pursuit of happiness", he said after having had two less than distinguished spells at Chelsea and AC Milan. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Fernando Torres, 30, was unveiled in front of 45,000 adoring fans chanting his name as he returned to the club where it all began for him. He has retuned on loan from AC Milan till the end of the season. If all the papers are ready, he could start against Real Madrid in a Copa Del Rey round of 16 tie this Wednesday itself. As a part of the deal Alessio Cerci, 27, has moved the other way.

Fernando Torres started his youth career at Atletico Madrid as an 11 year old. After six years at the academy he was fast tracked into the senior team at the tender age of 17. He has played 244 times for the senior team scoring 91 goals for them in the process.

"I was missing something to motivate me, something I could only find here", he told the awaiting fans and the media. He took his children on to the pitch at the Vicente Calderon Stadium and then watched from the stands his team beat Levante 3-1 to remain at the third position in the La Liga table.

He holds special place among the fans as he was one of them. A boyhood fan who lived the dream of progressing through the youth team to earn the senior team jersey. He has subsequently won the UEFA Euro Cup twice in 2008 and 2012 and the FIFA World Cup once in 2010 playing for Spain. He has also won the FA Cup in 2011-12, UEFA Europa League in 2012-13 as well as the UEFA Champions League in 2011-12 while at Chelsea.

Unfortunately two of his most prolific partnerships with Atletico Madrid and Liverpool have been trophy less. He won the Spanish Second Division title with Atletico Madrid a decade and a half back in 2001-02. Now back with the club after a gap of seven and a half years he wishes to make winning more trophies the top priority.

To contact the author of this article email a.biswas@IBTimes.com.au

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