Torres signs six-year Reds deal

Fernando Torres has completed his move from Atletico Madrid to Liverpool after signing a six-year contract.

The 23-year-old striker, whose transfer has been reported to have cost the Anfield side up to £26.5million, passed a medical at the club's Melwood training ground on Tuesday. He briefly flew back to his homeland to say an emotional goodbye to fans in Madrid before arriving back on Merseyside on Wednesday to complete the formalities of the transfer.

Torres, speaking through an interpreter, said: "I'm very happy to be joining the club. It is a fantastic opportunity to be joining one of the best clubs in Europe with a fantastic history."

He added: "You don't get opportunities like this every day of your life."

Asked what impact manager Rafael Benitez had on his decision the Spain striker said: "It was important, the confidence shown in me by him.

"When you hear a club like Liverpool is interested in you it is something that fills you with a lot of surprise and a lot of pride."

Torres insisted he was ready to work extremely hard to live up to his high price tag.

He told Sky Sports News: "The figures that have been mentioned are bound to bring an added pressure, but when you sign for a club like Liverpool you've got to bear pressure.

"I know the demands are high but I believe in hard work and think I can work hard to fulfil those expectations."

Asked whether it would be hard to adapt to the English top flight, Torres added: "Liverpool are a slightly different case, I have spoken to my team-mates who have come from the Spanish league so that will help with settling in."