Transfer Centre

Ferran Torres on Manchester City departure: "Once a Blue, Always a Blue"

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 30 December 2021

Ferran Torres thanks Manchester City for the "wonderful memories" during his time at the Etihad Stadium following his departure to Barcelona.

Ferran Torres has thanked Manchester City for the "wonderful memories" during his time at the Etihad Stadium, following his departure to Barcelona.

The 21-year-old has joined the Catalan giants for a reported €55m (£46.3m) plus €10m (£8.4m) in add-ons, signing a five-year deal, and he will officially join his new club when the January transfer window opens.

Torres has since taken to Twitter to reveal the reasons why he decided to leave the Etihad Stadium, but also stated that the Citizens will always have a special place in his heart.

"I leave many good friends in Manchester but I will always carry lots of wonderful memories and experiences in my heart," Torres wrote.

"Unfortunately really the pandemic did not fully allow me to enjoy Manchester to the fullest extent nor the surroundings as I originally wanted to, but this last year was something really incredible for me."

"At Man City I've grown not only as a player but besides that I've grown as a person as well. I'm much stronger as I face my new challenges as a professional player and also knowing that I was really privileged and lucky to represent the shirt of this great club.

𝕆𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕒 𝔹𝕝𝕦𝕖, 𝔸𝕝𝕨𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕒 𝔹𝕝𝕦𝕖 💙🦈
𝑻𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑲 𝒀𝑶𝑼, 𝑪𝑰𝑻𝒀𝒁𝑬𝑵𝑺 👏 pic.twitter.com/8ctP4eZoin
— Ferran Torres (@FerranTorres20) December 30, 2021

"Besides all the great experiences, in winning the Premier League and also the League Cup and of course competing in the final of the Champions League, I take something much more important with me, a really great relationship with you all, the loyal Man City fans."

Torres added: "I would like to thank Pep Guardiola, Ferran Soriano, Txiki [Begiristain], and Omar [Berrada] that they gave me this great opportunity to become part of this great team. Personally I feel humble and thankful for the confidence that I was included in this great, world-renowned set-up.

"Above and beyond all that I also want to thank my teammates and all the members of staff at Manchester City.

"I'm now returning to Spain but I carry you all in my heart forever and I'll still celebrate your wins together, week in week out. For sure I leave a bit of my heart in Manchester at City."

Torres scored 16 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions for Man City and leaves the club having won the Premier League title and the League Cup as well as reaching the Champions League final last season.