Torres secures return to Atletico

Madrid, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Atletico Madrid confirmed on Monday that striker Fernando Torres will return to the club on loan two days after he agreed to a permanent move from Chelsea to AC Milan.

The 30-year-old Torres joined Milan on loan from the Premier League side over the summer, but his move was made permanent on Dec. 27.

And only two days later, Milan has loaned Torres to Atletico until the summer of 2016, allowing the Spaniard to return to the club where he began his professional career.

"I'm going to Atletico in the pursuit of my happiness," Torres told Atletico's website on Monday. "When I was a child, my dream was to play for Atletico. I achieved that and to come back now is another dream I get to accomplish again. I've been fine with other teams, but there isn't one like Atleti."

Torres left Atletico in 2007 to join Liverpool, where he scored 65 goals in 3 1/2 seasons before securing a big-money switch to Chelsea.

However, the Spain international struggled upon his arrival in London, failing to replicate his previous form by netting just 45 goals in 172 matches in all competitions.

Torres captured the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League with the Blues, but he will hope to regain his scoring form with a return home after finding the net just once in 10 appearances for Milan during his loan stint.

After making his debut for Atletico in 2001 as a 17-year-old, Torres scored 91 times in 244 games for his hometown side, which won La Liga last season and sits in third place through 16 games this term, four points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.