Question: What do 33 goals and a massive following of Kopites get you nowadays? Well if you’re Fernando Torres, it apparently gets you a pretty hefty pay raise.
The Telegraph reports that Liverpool have rewarded their Spanish ace with a £800,000-a-year pay increase after he ran roughshod over opponents in his first season at the Merseyside club.
The Spain international, who moved to Merseyside from Atletico de Madrid last summer for £21.5 million, was promised when he signed for the club that his salary would be reviewed at the end of his first season in the Premier League. (Telegraph)
Torres was so keen to join Liverpool that he actually accepted a drop in his wages, as well as waiving the £3m from the original transfer fee that Atletico owed him but, after scoring an incredible 33 goals in the last campaign, the powers that be at Anfield have agreed to increase his weekly wage packet from £74,000 to the £89,000 that he was paid at the Vicente Calderon. (Telegraph)
In a footballing world built on money and greed, Torres’ move to drop his wages and waive the transfer fee speaks volumes about his character. Not only did he give Liverpool the upper-hand by coming in cheaper than expected, but he also made it known that if his quality on the pitch wasn’t up to par, that he was fine keeping his current wage packet. Talk about refreshing stuff! I’m sure every team wishes they had a player with as much class as Liverpool’s number 9.