MADRID?- Fernando Torres says he has returned to Atletico Madrid to rekindle his competitive spirit with his boyhood club.

Torres was presented on Sunday to thousands of fans at Vicente Calderon Stadium while waiting for his loan from AC Milan to become official when the Italian transfer market opens on Monday.

Torres, who left Atletico in 2007 for Liverpool, says "I was missing something to motivate me, something that I could only find here."

The Spain striker had struggled this season at Milan with only one goal in 10 appearances since Chelsea loaned him to the Italian club.

He could make his debut against crosstown rival Real Madrid in the first leg of their round-of-16 Copa del Rey tie on Wednesday.