Alessio Cerci wrote an emotional open letter addressed to Torino fans to say goodbye after his move the Atletico Madrid.
The 27-year-old made 71 appearances for Toro and scored 21 goals since after he signed from Fiorentina in 2012 before his move to Spain.
“It has never been so difficult to try and explain how I feel at this moment,” began Cerci’s open letter posted on his Facebook page.
“These have been difficult months, dealing with tough questions to answer.”
“I thought things lots of through in my head and in my heart and I went back in time.
“I thought about my first kick of a ball at seven years of age, I thought of all the sacrifices I’ve made and the difficulties I’ve faced in my career.
“I thought about the dreams I had as a child that have carried me up to where I am now.
“Any professional football wants to play in a great team, to line up against the greatest players and to play at some of the world’s most famous and prestigious stadiums.
“I was struggling with the dilemma of whether to take the great leap or stay in the city that revitalised me and offered me glory.
“Believe me, I was really hoping for a big deal to come in from Torino but in the end it didn’t happen.
“Therefore, I calmly looked at the situation as I understood it, to make the most of the offer to achieve my dreams that I’ve been waiting to come true.
“I want to show everybody that Cerci is not just a hothead like many have said for years and that he is not just somebody who can make a big difference for a small club but also someone who can prove himself alongside great players.
“Can you understand that I couldn’t miss out on such an opportunity?
“I think my coach Giampiero Ventura because it’s thanks to him that I am today arriving on a great stage like Atletico Madrid.
“Thanks to everybody at Torino and my teammates who always made me smile.
“Thanks to the fans who have given me strength.
“I don’t know what my future will be but I hope this is only a temporary goodbye to the colour Granata that has been close to my heart for the past two years full of emotions.
“I’ll always carry you with me, with love, AC 11.”
