• 
• 

The period 2001-2007 will be known as the "Torres Era" in the history books of the Madrid club, because of the way that this elegant, slender forward reflected the hopes - but also the frustrations - of the long-suffering Atleti fans for seven years.

 Torres, 23, is about to be sold to Liverpool for about 32 million euros plus Luis Garcia.

 The digital version of Marca on Monday afternoon says that Torres' departure is "imminent".

 His leaving will not come as a shock to "Atleticos" - on the contrary. Most are surprised that he has not left before, given the frustration of playing with such mediocre team-mates.

 Every summer there have been rumours of him signing for one of Europe's top clubs.

 Possibly a factor in his decision to leave now is the realisation that, if he stays, he will be playing in the Intertoto Cup in two weeks.

 Torres was born into a Atletico family on 20 March 1984. He was enrolled in the club's youth sections atthe age of 10, and soon caught the eye for his speed, elegance and finishing prowess.

 After breaking all the scoring records for the nursery side, he made his full Atleti debut in April 2001, when his beloved club was languishing in the second division.

 The following season he helped Atletico to gain promotion, and his 82 goals have been a major factor in the "Colchoneros" surviving in the top flight since 2002.

 For the past two years Torres was worn the blue-and-red captain's armband, trying - usually without success- to encourage Atleti's perennial foreign newcomers to try just that little bit harder for the cause.

 Torres made his full Spain debut in 2004, and scored three goals at the 2006 World Cup finals.

 After catching the global eye in Germany with his grace and class, his departure from the Estadio Calderon has really been just a question of time.(dpa)