(IN THE PHOTO: Galliani and Torres ahead of the presentation)
CASA MILAN- Fernando Torres was presented to the media as a Milan player from the club's headquarters Casa Milan on Tuesday evening. This is what was said:
ADRIANO GALLIANI (CEO)"Good evening and welcome to the presentation of Fernando Torres. Everyone knows who is, he has won everything at club and international level. We heard of him and he came to our attention when he was a youngster at Atletico Madrid. After 10 years of keeping tabs on him, he is finally here. Better late than never! We're very happy to have such an important striker. He will do well with us and has always done well. It's an honour to give him the number nine jersey. I will now give Fernando his time to speak and answer questions."FERNANDO TORRESAsked about how his first days have been as a Milan player, Torres said the following: "These first few days I've been to Milanello, met all the players and staff. I was at the Lazio game on Sunday too. I am going to learn and adapt to my new team and give my all."Torres continued: "It is a big challenge and an honour to be here. I am aware of all the players that have worn the number nine jersey and I hope to be up to the standard. I would have loved to have played versus Lazio."The Spanish striker was asked about his feelings on arriving in a new country and about playing in Serie A: "I am now going to be facing a new challenge, learning a new culture and language. I hope to score a lot of goals. It's important to both myself and Milan to refind my form and help Milan get back to the highest levels."Asked about the pressure of wearing the famous number nine jersey: "I hope to have the same success as the famous players who have worn the number nine jersey before me. In the future I can perhaps become a part of history too."Torres answered a question about his new coach Filippo Inzaghi: "We all know of Inzaghi the player and now he has to show the same passion he had as a player as a coach. He will be able to get the best out of me. He was a great striker and I can learn a lot from him."There was a question about how he would adapt to Italy's Serie A. This is how Torres responded: "There are three big European leagues and they are in England, Spain and Italy. I have always followed Serie A. As Adriano Galliani said, in 2004 there was an approach for me which never materialised, but I am now here. I have been able to adapt in the past when I moved to a new league and country so I won't have any problems adapting to Serie A." The Spaniard continued: "I hope Milan will get back into the top-three. I will be doing all I can at a personal level to ensure that happens. Hopefully this year we can get back into the Champions League"Torres was questioned about his first impressions of the Milan side from the Lazio match and which player impressed him the most: "I think that to have a good season, the most important thing is team effort. It's hard to single out players. Football is more about team effort. It's important for me to integrate with my new team-mates. Perhaps for the next match I will be in the starting line-up and we can work together."Questioned about his former coach Jose Mourinho, this is what the striker had to say: "I had a very good relationship with Jose. When I was signed by Milan he wished me all the best. He spoke about the passion that the city of Milan has for football and that I would settle in well. I learnt a lot from him as a coach. Perhaps in the future our paths will meet again."Commenting on his fitness levels: "I did lots of tests when I arrived at Milan. They looked at agility, speed and strength. I feel good and mentally strong. When everything is going well you have more will-power and desire to train. I cannot wait to start."There was another question about Mourinho and the positive words by the Chelsea coach about the professional attitude of Torres: "I thank Mourinho for his words. I don't need to say anything else. We have to always act and play as professionals." Asked about his experiences at his previous clubs, the Spanish star said: "I've played in three different teams. I won more with Chelsea but scored more goals with my other two clubs. Milan is a new adventure for me. I cannot wait to score for the fans and win titles." On Mario Balotelli's move to one of Torres' former clubs Liverpool: "Both myself and Balotelli have gone to great clubs. We're both in the same situation and it's normal to compare one with the other. Everyone knows how well Balotelli did with Milan last year. I hope he has a good future at Liverpool."On the Milan derby: "All derbies are very special, also for the fans. I heard about the Milan derby when I arrived at the airport. The fans said I had to score in the derby. I had the fortune of playing in many derbies in England. There is so much passion from the fans. The players are aware of this."Questioned about his potential strike-partners: "I know of them but it isn't a matter of one person playing for another or vice-versa. It is about working for the team. El Shaarawy is very fast, he is improving and a lot of things are expected of him."Torres was asked again about playing in a new league and whether he had any fears about Serie A: "I had no fear in England or in Spain so I'm not worried now. It is an interesting challenge and I hope to adapt to Serie A as soon as possible."Torres finished by thanking his past but looking to the future: “I thank Liverpool and Chelsea for everything they gave me, but I felt it was the right moment to change. When the chance to join Milan presented itself, I accepted and I am looking to score lots of goals again. I needed a new challenge. A new adventure is about to begin and I hope to achieve what I have done in my previous experiences. I hope to spend many years at Milan, full of success and trophies. I am very happy.”There was more from the CEO Adriano Galliani during the press conference. This is what he had to say about the club’s transfer deals: "The most difficult player to bring to the club was Van Ginkel as he resisted our advances. We gave him an ultimatum but then withdrew it. In the end he decided to join us. He’s a great talent in my opinion but also according to Arrigo Sacchi. He was a starter at Chelsea but then got injured. De Jong and Torres both insisted as well and in the end he decided to join. Bonaventura was one of the most unique deals of my career. We were sure of the Biabiany-Zaccardo swap deal but when it fell through we had the idea of bringing in Bonaventura. We looked at his stats before he went to the other team in Milan. It has been a very busy transfer period. 11 players have come in and 14 have gone out. When things don’t go well, like last year, something had to be done. I spoke with Taarabt yesterday, he did really well with us, but we needed a player with different characteristics. I believe that Torres has different attributes to Balotelli. Once we had sold Balotelli, Inzaghi and I decided to choose a striker with specific skills. Our transfers have been made-up of expert and young players. It is the right mix.”