Diego Forlan is joining Inter Milan after Atletico Madrid agreed to sell the Uruguay striker to the Serie A club.
Forlan, who will fill the vacant striker spot left after Samuel Eto'o's departure for Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, announced his departure from Atletico at a news conference Monday at the club's Vicente Calderon stadium.
"It's not everyday you get the chance to play for Inter Milan at 32. Let's hope I can meet expectations,'' Forlan said. "It's a great club with great players fighting for major trophies. I hope to adapt quickly.''
Financial terms of the deal were not announced. Forlan will not be allowed to take part in Champions League play for Inter unless it reaches the knockout stages since he already featured for Atletico in Europa League qualifying this summer.
Forlan, who was named best player at last year's World Cup in South Africa after Uruguay reached the semifinals, spent four seasons at Atletico and helped it to the 2010 European Supercup and scored both goals in the 2-1 Europa League final victory.
"Some moments weren't great but the majority of years here have been spectacular,'' said Forlan, who spent the latter half of his last season out of the starting lineup due to problems with then-coach Quique Sanchez Flores. "But I'm happy with the decision I've taken because life goes on, players come and go and you have to accept that.
"I achieved the objectives we had set out. It was an enormous pleasure to win the titles we did here.''
The former Manchester United and Villarreal striker had two years remaining on his Atletico deal with reports suggesting he has agreed to a two-year deal with the Italian club.
"I go to another great club where I like the project and the expectations they have,'' Forlan said.”But these past four years remain a good memory.''
Forlan scored 96 goals in 198 appearances for Atletico, which he also guided to the Copa del Rey final in 2010. Forlan won the Golden Boot award as Europe's top goalscorer twice.
Atletico paid FC Porto 40 million euros ($58 million) for Colombia striker Radamel Falcao, who arrives with high expectations following the departures of the club's fearsome strike partnership of Forlan and Sergio Aguero, who joined Manchester City.
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