Atletico Madrid have confirmed the return of striker Fernando Torres on-loan from AC Milan for the next 18 months. The club released a statement on its official website announcing details of the deal.

The transfer will be completed in early January after the player undergoes a medical with the reigning champions of Spain.

Torres began his career with Los Colchoneros making his debut with the club in 2001 at the age of seventeen. He would play the next six seasons, becoming captain, playing a total of 244 games and scoring 91 goals.

The striker would then leave Spain to join Liverpool after agreeing to a £20 million transfer. While in England, Torres would continue his strong play scoring 65 goals in 102 appearances for the Merseyside club.

He would then be involved in one of the more memorable moves in the history of the January transfer window after Liverpool agreed to sell the striker to league-rivals Chelsea for a then-British record fee of £50 million in 2011.

Since that time, for whatever reasons, Torres has seen his playing fortunes completely reversed both domestically and internationally. The Spain international has become a shadow of his former goalscoring self during stints in London, and more recently Milan.

Over the past few days, rumors began to surface that Torres would be making a return to his boyhood club in an effort to breathe life into his career. Now after days of varying reports, it has been confirmed that the 30-year-old will join his boyhood club in January.

“Fernando Torres returns to Atletico de Madrid after an agreement was reached by our club and Milan as the international striker will play on loan for the remainder of the season,” the statement reads on the club’s official website. “The loan will be official on the 5th of January, day on which the winter market opens in Italy.”

The striker addressed the media earlier today and gave his reasoning for leaving AC Milan.

“When I decided to go to Milan it was to get minutes and I was told I would be a key player for them,” Torres said.

“Unfortunately, after a few months I was not part of the coach’s plans, a decision I respected 100 percent, and it forced me to look ahead and find another destination.”

“When Atletico appeared I didn’t have any doubts. I want to thank Milan because they made it easier to find a solution and I’m going to Atletico in search of happiness.”

“As a child my dream was to play for Atletico and to go back. Now is another dream completed.”

“People know it’s my home and I’ve felt the sadness at their defeats and also the joy of their successes. I’ve jumped off the couch at them and nobody can doubt how I’ll feel when I pull on that shirt again.”

“The Atletico fans always ask that you leave everything out on the pitch and I can assure them I’ll be doing that and much more.”

Part of the agreement between Atletico Madrid and AC Milan is reported to be the arrival of midfielder Alession Cerci in Italy. At this time, the Rossoneri have yet to officially confirm the transfer of the 27-year-old player. But it is expected that Cerci will fly to Italy tonight and undergo a medical with the club before officially joining them on-loan for the remainder of the season.

Torres first match of Atletico Madrid could be on January 7th when they face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 at the Vicente Calderon.