Returning Atletico Madrid fans' hero Fernando Torres says he wants to fit in with the current side's ethos of sacrifice and hard work leading to the winning of trophies.
Torres, who has rejoined his boyhood club on loan from AC Milan after the Serie A club initially signed him permanently from Chelsea, was presented on Sunday at the Estadio Vicente Calderon. Around 40,000 emotional fans, who remember the impact he had as a teenager when the team was struggling through the early 2000s, and then subsequent contribution at international level to Spain's Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 victories, turned out.
Recent years have not been too productive at club or international level for a player who will be 31 in March, while Atletico have been transformed into a fearsomely competitive side under current coach Diego Simeone, winning the La Liga title and reaching the Champions League final last season.
Torres said in an interview with the club's official website that it was up to him now to learn from his new teammates, and work as hard as they do to bring success.
"Today's club is different to the one I was at, so they have to teach me," Torres said. "When I left here I knew everyone, but this is all very different. I just want to enjoy it. It is a team that has won everything defending its values, and they have always taught me that.
"In many interviews during recent years when I was not here, I have said that winning this way is nicer. As you can show that through sacrifice, hard work and faith in what you do, you can win many things, even if you are up against it in many ways. That is what this club, and this team, represents."
His departure for Liverpool at the age of 23 in 2003 brought 30 million euros, which the financially troubled Calderon club badly needed. His return seven and a half years later is in a swap-deal with Italian international Alessio Cerci which AS claims features "a thick cloud of financial engineering," with Chelsea and Milan reportedly continuing to contribute to his wages.
Torres said both the manner of his leaving, and his return, had been right for both him and Atletico.
"As I said the day I left, they were difficult times for the club in every way, sporting-wise, financially, socially, and thankfully time proved us right," he added. "We have been able to grow. The club has been able to build a team in which the word 'team' is a strength, and that has lead to success.
"For my part, I found a path which brought me great satisfaction, but something also seemed to be missing. This reunion closes a circle that started when I first wore this shirt aged 10. I hope to enjoy it, to be able to help my teammates, and begin doing that as soon as possible."
Boyhood Atletico fan Torres said the reception from so many fellow Rojiblanco supporters at his presentation had been extra-emotional.
"They know I come from here, that I have come through the ranks," he said. "From 10 to 17 when I made my debut, I was in the stand with them. They chanted my name when we were rivals in the European Super Cup, and last year again in the Champions League.
"When you come as an opponent and they still see you as one of them, it is very emotional. I am lucky now to experience it again as an Atletico Madrid player. All this affection is also an extra responsibility for me, which I am happy to accept. I will always give everything for this shirt."