Torres agrees contract extension

Fernando Torres has agreed a 12-month contract extension with Atletico Madrid and will commit himself to the Primera Liga club until 2009 when he returns from international duty with Spain.

Torres, 22, had a fine World Cup in the summer and was a reported target for several of Europe’s biggest clubs.

But the Atletico captain has decided to extend his stay at the Vicente Calderon and will put pen to paper following Spain’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

“I had two years left on my contract. After all the uproar this summer I am still here and the club have offered me another year,” the striker said.

“I am delighted because I feel valued at the club and this is further proof. Everything has been agreed and when I return (from international duty) we will look to make it official.”

Torres came up though the youth ranks at Atletico and has been their leading scorer in each of the last four seasons.