by J Mock

Created on: October 06, 2009   Last Updated: February 05, 2011

The soccer (football) player, Fernando Torres, is a Spanish International forward who currently plays for Chelsea FC in the English Premier League, following his £50 million move from Liverpool FC during the January 2011 transfer window.

Born Fernando Jose Torres Sanz on March 20 1984, the 6ft 1in (1.85m) striker nicknamed 'El Nino' joined Atletico Madrid in 1995 and rose through the youth ranks before making his first-team debut in the Segunda Division (Spanish Second Division) against CD Leganes on May 21 2001.

Atletico Madrid gained promotion to the Spanish La Liga (First division) for the 2002/03 season and in his first season in La Liga, Torres recorded 13 goals in 29 games, and 1 goal in 3 Kings Cup games. During his spell with Atletico Madrid, Torres recorded 91 goals in 214 matches, to add to his 7 goals in 40 games in the Segunda Division. Torres is the youngest player ever to play for Atletico Madrid's first-team and he also became their youngest team captain, aged 19 years.

His main attributes is his pace and technical skill, which he uses to great effect terrorising opponents defenses. His prowess in front of goal attracted interest from numerous European Clubs, and he eventually signed for Liverpool in July 2007 for a club record fee of £20 million. He made his debut for the 'Reds' on July 17th 2007 and scored his first goal for his new club against Shanghai Shenhua on August 3rd 2007.

Fernando Torres repaid the faith instilled in him by the then Liverpool Manager, Rafa Benitez, by recording figures of 65 Premier League goals in only 102 games, with an overall record, in all competitions, of 81 goals in 142 games. His overall career total, for Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, stands at 172 goals in 391 games (Jan 2011).

Torres endeared himself to both Liverpool football club and team fans and was seen as a 'Kop' legend as he embarked on his fourth season with Liverpool, but his move to Chelsea in 2011 was controversial. Liverpool fans were dismayed and angered to see Torres leave the club for a rival Premiership team, but Torres handed in a transfer request and Liverpool FC decided to sell their 'star' striker.

Torres has played for the Spanish National team at Under 15, U16, U17, U18, U19 and the Under 21s before making his senior debut against Portugal on September 6th 2003. He has played a total of 81 matches for Spain, scoring 26 goals, including the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Germany in the final of the European Championship's in 2008 and he was part of the Spanish team that won the 2010 World Cup. (Jan 2011)

Ref:

http://www.fernando9torres.com/

http://www.fernando-torres-fan.info/index.htm

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