Former Liverpool, Chelsea and Spain striker Fernando Torres has announced he is to retire from football.
The 35-year-old, who is currently playing for Sagan Tosu in Japan, confirmed the end of his football career on social media.
Torres says on twitter:
"I have something very important to announce. After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end to my football career. Next Sunday, the 23rd at 10:00 AM (3:00 AM CET), local time in Japan, I will have a press conference in Tokyo to explain all the details. See you there."
Torres joined Sagan Tosu in July 2018 after leaving boyhood club Atletico Madrid for a second time. He has scored just four goals in 32 games for the J League side.
The striker came through the youth system at Atletico, making his debut against Leganes in a Spanish second division game in March 2001.
He scored his first goal for the club a week later in a 1-0 victory over Albacete, before helping Atletico to promotion to La Liga the following season.
Torres then established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in Spain, top-scoring for them in five successive seasons, which earned him a move to Liverpool.
The Spaniard was a huge success at Anfield and, while he did not win any silverware, he registered 81 goals in 142 games before his shock move to Chelsea on Deadline Day in January 2011.
Torres' time in London got off to a slow start. His first game for Chelsea was a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, and he scored just once in 18 games for the club during the remainder of the 2010/11 season.
Torres' fortunes did pick up though, and he won the FA Cup and the Champions League in 2012, as well as the Europa League in 2013, before leaving for AC Milan in 2014.
He then returned to Atletico six months later, winning another Europa League title in 2018 in his penultimate match before his move to Japan.
Torres was arguably most successful on the international stage, and was an important member of the Spain side that won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, as well as the World Cup in 2010.
ewerkea
1530
Thanks for the memories El Nino
LockxTramp
617
Heroes Will Always Be Remembered But You Know Legends Never Die
GL_123
385
dang bro... one of the best stickers of all time... LEGEND 💔🔥💪😭
YashrajNagarwal
316
happy retirement fernando torres The man who made me fall in love with football till this day we will never forget your unbelievable accomplishments and will be always so proud. All the hard work and dedication pays off you were world class striker for liverpool, atletico and spain.
Mosanya
284
Leader, legend, hometown hero, one of the best players in the world, is retiring today, it comes as a shock, he has won all trophies in football, we will miss him... Good Luck Torres
ghostrider7762
250
Thanks for those 18 years legend
Theman21
201
Shocking but good luck to him in the future, great player he was!!!!
JaymondKlop10
184
Legend EL-NiNo
houckmrsy
159
A legend and a complete striker, as a Liverpool fan you have my respect sir #YNWA
Desmondeyum
150
I always remember the Goal Fernando Torres scored us in tithe champions league when he was in Chelsea
-jden-
132
I might not be the first I might not be the last But when i saw a notif on his retirement, i sure clicked fast
FaithEvans
49
My friends used to call me Torres when I was in high school, how time flies!! People seem to forget how incredible Fernando Torres was, especially in his Liverpool days before the knee injuries that robbed him of his spontaneity... and he's one of the few players who should have won a balond'OR had Messi and Ronaldo never existed, as he was the bronze balond'OR recipient back in 2009! Goodbye legend, Goodbye El Nino
TKeYOLL10
48
Happy Retirement Legend!!! #LFC #9
KaxNdanda
31
The legend El nino goodbye brother u will always remembered
Divyansh26
9
u must be gay.
what's wrong with you .....are you for real