El Niño? More like El Hombre Viejo
Fernando Torres, everybody’s favourite floppy-haired blonde striker from the late noughties, is now 34-years-old. For those of us who remember him at Atlético as a youngster, it is hard to imagine that he could ever be older than 24. But here we are.
Torres’ career has taken the trajectory of Stealth at Thorpe Park; he rose to stardom in his youth, hence the nickname El Niño, peaked too early, took a nosedive in form, before a slight resurrection back where he started.
Torres bid farewell to Atlético Madrid at the end of last season after his second spell there, a tear falling down his cheek, to a standing ovation.
But he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet – he’s following the trend of moving to the far east for one last mega pay cheque and fair play to him.
This morning, Torres confirmed that his new team will be Sagan Tosu in Japan.
Feliz de incorporarme a mi nuevo destino. Sagan Tosu, nos vemos pronto! / Happy to join my new club. See you soon, Sagan Tosu! @saganofficial17 #SaganTosu #JLeague pic.twitter.com/lzLfVBuiaM
— Fernando Torres (@Torres) July 10, 2018
Torres’ former international teammate Andrés Iniesta also moved to Japan this summer, joining Vissel Kobe after bidding farewell to Barcelona after spending 20 years at the Catalan club.