Fernando Torres Joins Chelsea

Fernando Torres has joined Chelsea today for a £50m deal from Liverpool breaking the British transfer record after the Reds initially rejected a transfer bid from Chelsea last week.

The striker then subsequently handed in an official transfer request the next day, which was rejected and today Chelsea made an improved offer which Liverpool found head to resist considering the players had already made up his mind that he wanted to leave Anfield.

Fernando Torres joined Liverpool in the 2007 season and made his competitive debut for Liverpool against Aston Villa in a 2–1 win on 11 August 2007.

Torres has since made 142 appearances and scoring 81 times for the club and the 26 year old now seeks a new challenge in hope of winning silverware at Stamford Bridge.

Having completing his transfer to Chelsea, the striker said; "I am very happy with my transfer to Chelsea and I am looking forward very much to helping my new team-mates this season and for many years to come.

"Having played against Chelsea many times since coming to England, and in some very big games I will never forget.

"I know there are many great players here and I will work hard to win a place in the team. I hope I can score some important goals for the supporters to enjoy this season."

Bruce: Bent Let Club Down

Steve Bruce has admitted that he feels, the club and the fans have been let down by Darren Bent’s decision to leave Sunderland for Aston Villa, Bent joined the Midlands outfit this afternoon in a £18 million deal after he rocked the club by handing in a written transfer request.

"It's hugely disappointing that Darren has decided that his future lies away from Sunderland and the players, our supporters and the club as a whole have every right to feel massively let down," he told the club's official website.

"The timing is especially hard to take, given that we are progressing positively and are in a great position to push on.

"Everyone has been nothing but supportive of Darren in has time at Sunderland but it's obvious he's not been himself in training.

"We've certainly not seen the best of him in games in recent weeks - and we now understand why.

On building the Club, Steve Bruce added; "I've always stated that my aim is to build a talented, young squad for the long-term to help the club achieve sustained success.

"I want Sunderland fans to know that our ambitions haven't changed on that front."