The goalkeeper has revealed he cried when his time at the Liga outfit came to end in 2014 and says the he feels “half Spanish” as he enjoys the lifestyle so much.
Thibaut Courtois has admitted he wants to return to La Liga and may not sign a new contract at Chelsea to engineer a move back to Spain.
Courtois joined Chelsea from Genk in 2011 and was immediately shipped out on loan to Atletico Madrid for the next three seasons.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a fruitful stint with the Spanish outfit, playing a key role in them winning La Liga in 2014, as well as the Copa del Rey in 2013 and also the Europa League in 2012.
And Courtois has since revealed he cried when his time at the club came to end and has expressed his desire to seal a reunion with Los Colchoneros in the future.
“I feel half Spanish,” Courtois told Marca. “When I said goodbye I had a bad time. I had cold blood, it was not easy. I cried.
“Atletico is a family club. I still feel their love.”
Asked if he specifically wants to return to Atletico, Courtois replied: “Yes, but not only because of the club, but how Madrid is and the whole country.
“From the first minute I fell in love with Spain for its people, lifestyle, food… I still eat dinner and then have an afternoon nap, most of the television I see is Spanish… I am half Spanish.”
Courtois is not the only Chelsea player to reveal his interest in securing a switch back to Atletico, with Diego Costa having also admitted he tried to return to his former club in the summer.
The Belgium shot-stopper also says he may try to leave Chelsea on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer of 2018.
“I have a contract at Chelsea for three seasons,” he added. “In 2018, when I enter the final year of the contract, we will assess whether to renew or leave.”
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