Fernando Torres retires: Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker hangs up his boots aged 35 after glittering career

Torres became one of the Premier League's most feared strikers after joining Liverpool in 2007.

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Tony Mogan21 June 2019

Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has announced his retirement from football.

The former Spain international has called time on a 18-year playing career that saw him score 81 goals in four seasons at Liverpool and win the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup with Chelsea – in addition to the World Cup with Spain.

Torres returned to boyhood club Atletico Madrid in 2016 before joining Japanese side Sagan Tosu last year.

"I have something very important to announce," Torres wrote on Twitter. "After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end to my football career.

"Next Sunday, the 23rd at 10:00AM, local time in Japan, I will have a press conference in Tokyo to explain all the details.”

After his breakthrough at Atletico, where he captained the club at just 18, Torres moved to Liverpool in 2007 where he established himself as one of the best number nines in the league.

He joined Chelsea for £50m in January 2011 but as injuries began to take their toll, he was unable to replicate his stunning form on Merseyside.

Despite his struggles, the Spaniard still enjoyed some memorable moments in blue, including his late goal against Barcelona in April 2012 sent the Blues to the Champions League final, which they would go on to win at the expense of Bayern Munich.