Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata joins Atletico Madrid on 18-month loan deal

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Malik Ouzia @MalikOuzia_28 January 2019

Alvaro Morata has completed his move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid, signing for the Spanish club on loan until the end of the 2019-20 season.

The Spaniard joins on an initial 18-month loan deal, having become surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge following the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus.

It marks a return to the club where Morata began his youth career, before eventually starting his professional career with rivals Real Madrid.

Morata joined Chelsea from Real following a stint at Juventus, becoming their club record signing in a £58million deal in the summer of 2017.

He scored 24 goals in 72 appearances for the club, but struggled to nail down a regular first team spot, with new manager Maurizio Sarri sometimes opting deploy Eden Hazard in a false nine role at the spearhead of his attack.

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Speaking to Atletico's club website, Morata said: "I feel very happy. I am very content and very proud to be here, I can't wait to train, to be with my teammates and to play."

On Sunday, Atletico forward Gelson Martins joined AS Monaco, paving the way for Morata's arrival.

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