Football
ESPN staff 10y

Fernando Torres open to Jose Mourinho reunion after Milan move

Fernando Torres said during his unveiling at AC Milan that he had a positive relationship with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and added: "Perhaps in the future our paths will meet again."

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Torres has joined Milan on a two-year loan, which is set to take him to the end of his Chelsea contract, and said he felt the need to move on after struggling to meet expectations since his 2011 move from Liverpool.

"I thank Liverpool and Chelsea for everything they gave me, but I felt it was the right moment to change," he told a news conference in Milan on Tuesday. "When the chance to join Milan presented itself, I accepted and I am looking to score lots of goals again. I needed a new challenge.

"A new adventure is about to begin and I hope to achieve what I have done in my previous experiences. I hope to spend many years at Milan, full of success and trophies. I am very happy."

Despite Mourinho regularly citing issues with his strikeforce for the Blues' failure to win a trophy last season, the former Inter boss said on several occasions that he was impressed by Torres' attitude.

"I had a very good relationship with Jose," Torres said. "When I was signed by Milan he wished me all the best. He spoke about the passion that the city of Milan has for football and that I would settle in well. I learnt a lot from him as a coach. Perhaps in the future our paths will meet again."

On the Portuguese's praise, the Spain international added: "I thank Mourinho for his words. I don't need to say anything else. We have to always act and play as professionals."

Torres helped the Blues to the FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League during his time at Stamford Bridge but acknowledges that, despite the lack of silverware, he was able to make a bigger impact during his spells with Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.

"I've played in three different teams," he said. "I won more with Chelsea but scored more goals with my other two clubs. Milan is a new adventure for me. I cannot wait to score for the fans and win titles.

"It's important to both myself and Milan to rediscover my form and help Milan get back to the highest levels."

Torres will be joined at Milan by Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel, who agreed a season-long loan on deadline day.

Milan CEO Adriano Galliani confirmed at the news conference that both Torres and fellow Dutchman Nigel de Jong had played an important role in persuading him to join the Rossoneri.

"The most difficult player to bring to the club was Van Ginkel as he resisted our advances," Galliani said. "We gave him an ultimatum but then withdrew it. In the end he decided to join us.

"He's a great talent in my opinion but also according to [legendary Milan boss] Arrigo Sacchi. He was a starter at Chelsea but then got injured. De Jong and Torres both insisted as well and in the end he decided to join."

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