CONOR GALLAGHER hasn’t forgotten his roots at Chelsea’s academy after sealing his big move to Atletico Madrid this summer.
The England international made the switch to the Spanish side from Chelsea last month in a deal worth around £35m.
Gallagher, 24, had been with the Blues from the age of six – rising through the ranks at Cobham before breaking into the first team after a successful loan at Crystal Palace.
And his energetic performances have now earned him a spot on Diego Simeone’s Atletico team in La Liga.
But that leap to the Champions League giants hasn’t meant Gallagher has forgotten about the team that made him, posting a heartwarming photo on his Instagram to prove otherwise.
Gallagher posed alongside a group of Chelsea’s academy players in Madrid after they had stopped by the Metropolitano Stadium to watch the midfielder and his team-mates beat RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Thursday.
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Gallagher appeared to take some time to catch up with the youngsters during their trip to the Spanish capital to play in the Madrid Football Cup.
The Atletico newbie posted the picture with the youngsters alongside the caption: “Great to see some of the academy boys in Madrid.
“Appreciate you coming to watch me and the team last night. Good luck in the tournament.”
Life in Madrid has got off to a flying start for Gallagher.
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Atletico remain unbeaten this season and Gallagher has already found the back of the net once in his first four appearances for the Mattress Makers.
Thursday night saw Simeone’s side fight back from an early Benjamin Sesko goal to win their opening Champions League clash after Antoine Griezmann and Jose Maria Gimenez netted for the La Liga club against RB Leipzig.
In fact, things are going so well for Gallagher that he has already been given his own chant by Atletico’s adoring fans.
And he is certainly feeling the love after being effectively forced out of the club at Chelsea this summer.
Speaking to The Athletic about his move to Atletico Madrid, he said: “I’ve felt very wanted and appreciated, which is important for any footballer.
“Chelsea are a huge football club, one of the biggest in the world, along with Atletico, but I have taken that exciting step of playing Champions League football and challenging for trophies.
“It just builds me with even more confidence and happiness to play my best football. It was just full of excitement to be joining Atletico.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
