MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 11:21:01| >> :120:8592:8592:

Morata delighted to be back at 'childhood team' Atletico

Morata delighted to be back at 'childhood team' Atletico
© Reuters
The Spanish striker has completed an 18-month loan move from Chelsea.

Alvaro Morata felt it was his "destiny" to return to boyhood club Atletico Madrid.

The 26-year-old on Monday joined Atletico on an 18-month loan deal from Chelsea.

The Spain striker moved to Stamford Bridge on a five-year contract in July 2017 in a £60million move from Real Madrid, but he was a member of Atletico's academy.

"My life has taken many detours, but it was destiny that I would arrive here," Morata told reporters at his presentation on Tuesday, according to marca.com.

"I'm really proud to be back at this club, it's my childhood team, I have so many happy memories, it means a lot to be here."

Despite last playing in Spain for city rivals Real, Morata insisted there was only one destination for him once Atletico's interest became clear.

He added: "Everything else stopped when Atleti appeared. Everything that has happened before is history, I'm here now and everything appears very beautiful."

Morata will have two years left on his Chelsea deal by the end of the 2019-20 season, when the loan ends, but it is unlikely he will play for the Blues again.

His departure after 18 months, featuring 24 goals in 72 appearances, 24 of them as a substitute, had been telegraphed for some time and Gonzalo Higuain's arrival on loan last week effectively sealed his move.

Morata was signed by Chelsea as Diego Costa's replacement – now the 26-year-old has followed Costa to the Wanda Metropolitano.

Arguably Morata's best performance for the Blues came at Atletico, weeks into his first season and the day after Costa's return to Madrid had been finalised.

Morata was asked about being a rival to Costa for a place in Diego Simeone's team.

"Diego, aside from being a team-mate, is a great player, I consider him a friend," he added.

"It's always easy to play with great players. I now need to show what I can do on the pitch, that's where I have to do my talking."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '20c6b9a8-7b56-444b-9a41-5e67a5ed4f70');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Morata delighted to be back at \u2018childhood team\u2019 Atletico'});

ID:348556: cacheID:348556:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4531:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea's Alvaro Morata attempts to make use of possession against Southampton in the Premier League on January 2, 2019.
Read Next:
Morata passes Atletico Madrid medical
>
Read more about Alvaro Morata Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!