Koke sad about Torres’ decision to leave Atletico

CAIRO – 11 April 2018: Atletico Madrid’s Spanish midfileder, Jorge Resurrección, known as Koke, revealed his sadness about striker Fernando Torres’ decision to leave the club by the end of the season.

“It's a shame that he can't end his career at Atletico; he's our emblem and he has always given his all for the club,” Koke told press on Tuesday.

Torres announced on Monday that he will leave his childhood club to earn more game time, as he only started nine games in all competitions with the club this season.

Koke added, “Fernando has been everything for Atletico and you will be able to tell in the dressing room. He has the strength to keep on playing and we have to respect his decision.”

Torres, 34, joined Atletico Madrid when he was just 10, getting promoted through the club rankings until he joined the first team at 16.

He played six years for the first team before leaving to play in England. He represented Liverpool and Chelsea before leaving for Italy to play for AC Milan.

Torres returned to Atletico Madrid in 2015 but failed to earn a position in Atletico’s starting lineup.

Koke praised Torres, saying, “He's a ten out of ten as a professional and a thousand out of ten as a person.”