Torres: Costa's arrival meant I had to go
AC Milan striker Fernando Torres admitted that his time at Chelsea had come to an end when they signed compatriot Diego Costa.
The former Liverpool hitman left Stamford Bridge for the Serie A giants on a two-year loan deal during the summer transfer window.
Despite costing the Blues £50 million ($103.1 million), Torres was unavailable to rediscover the explosive form that made him such a hit at Anfield.
When Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho landed Costa for £32m from Atletico Madrid, the 30-year-old knew it was time for a change.
Change
Speaking at his official presentation as a Milan player, Torres said: "Obviously I could see what the season at Chelsea was going to be. They signed a striker that was expecting to play and I need to have this feeling of being important.
"I want to thank my two English clubs, Liverpool for bringing me to the Premier League and Chelsea for the trophies I won.
"After all these years, however, I needed a change, something that would give me the desire to play, to feel important."
While Torres was unwilling to make any promises to the Rossoneri faithful, the Spaniard did pledge to give his all for his new club and try to find his former self.
He said: "AC Milan is all I needed, a great club with great fans where I will try to shine and come back myself. We need to return to the first three (Serie A teams) and I want to get back to my past levels.
"I'm happy to be here, I can't wait to begin. I played in La Liga and in the Premier League, now I am in the third most important league in Europe."
Sources: PA Sport, AFP
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