Uruguay's Forlán to leave Atlético for Inter

Diego Forlán is to leave La Liga club Atlético Madrid after four seasons and will join Serie A side Inter Milan, the Uruguay striker announced.

A former La Liga topscorer with both Villarreal and Atlético, the former Manchester United forward was voted best player at the World Cup finals in South Africa last year as Uruguay reached the last four.

While Inter have yet to confirm a deal has been agreed, the Copa América winner's arrival is good news for coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who has lost forwards Samuel Eto'o and Goran Pandev to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala and Napoli respectively.

"Farewells are always hard, because it has been four years plus the three at Villarreal and now...I will be leaving behind people's kindness, which I will never forget," Forlán said at a news conference in the Spanish capital.

"I am looking forward very much to rejuvenating myself, it's all new and it's where you find motivation because the challenges are greater," he added.

"You don't often get a chance to go to Inter at the age of 32 and I hope I can live up to the expectations."

Forlán helped Atlético to a Europa League triumph in the 2009-10 season, when they also reached the final of Spain's King's Cup.

His form dipped last season and Atlético announced last week they had given him permission to negotiate a transfer.

However, he was as sharp as ever at international level as he helped Uruguay win the Copa América this year, scoring twice in their 3-0 final win over Paraguay.