Sergio Torres (footballer, born 1981)

Torres was born in Mar del Plata.{{Cite web |date=24 September 2015 |title=Sergio Torres ready to write a new chapter with Whitehawk |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2015/sep/23/sergio-torres-whitehawk-emirates-fa-cup-preview |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=thefa.com |publisher=The Football Association |language=en}} After a two-month trial with Boca Juniors aged 15,{{Cite news |last=Broadbent |first=Rick |date=3 October 2005 |title=From Boca Juniors to Wycombe (via Basingstoke and Boots) |language=en |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/from-boca-juniors-to-wycombe-via-basingstoke-and-boots-b7w0gzzt2hn |access-date=5 April 2021 |issn=0140-0460}} Torres began his career in Argentina at Quilmes de Mar del Plata and later Club Atlético Banfield in his native city of Mar del Plata playing part-time while working in the family brick factory and training to become a PE teacher.{{Cite web |date=5 March 2018 |title=El futbolista marplatense con un documental sobre su vida |url=https://quedigital.com.ar/deportes/el-futbolista-marplatense-que-tendra-un-documental-sobre-su-vida/ |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=Noticias de Mar del Plata |language=es}}{{Cite news |first=Chris |last=Osborne |date=27 December 2013 |title=Sergio Torres: How brick maker realised Manchester United dream |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25319836 |access-date=30 December 2013}}{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Johnny |date=13 April 2019 |title=Kicking a ball, and chasing a dream around the world |language=en |work=Express & Star |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/2019/04/13/sky-sports-johnny-phillips-kicking-a-ball-and-chasing-a-dream-around-the-world/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} In November 2003, he decided to leave the club and fund his own trip to England in the hope of playing professionally; Torres arrived in England with just £180 and stayed in a shared a house in Norbury, London owned by his agent. Then Brighton & Hove Albion manager Mark McGhee offered him a two-week trial after seeing a highlights video, though he was rejected with McGhee telling Torres that he "would never make it in England".{{Cite news |last=Ronay |first=Barney |date=1 February 2008 |title=Wycombe's Maradona is in a league of his own |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/01/wycombe.leaguetwofootball |access-date=5 April 2021}}

He subsequently signed for Isthmian League side Molesey in late 2003 alongside fellow Argentinian Cristian Levis after a friend put them into contact with the Molesey owner.{{Cite news |last=Seckington |first=Kaylee |date=19 November 2017 |title='Molesey was massive for me' admits Sergio Torres |language=en |work=SurreyLive |url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/molesey-playing-chelsea-manchester-united-13920572 |access-date=5 April 2021}} With Molesey unable to pay Torres any wages, manager Steve Beeks arranged a trial for Torres and Levis at Basingstoke Town, who they signed for in February 2004 after two months at Molesey.{{Cite web |title=Sergio Torres |url=http://www.basingstokefc.co.uk/stats/player.php?id=13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916084329/http://www.basingstokefc.co.uk/stats/player.php?id=13 |archive-date=16 September 2008 |access-date=16 September 2008 |website=basingstokefc.co.uk}} While at Basingstoke, Torres worked at Boots, stacking shelves in order to earn a living and cycled to work.{{Cite news |last=Peters |first=Dave |date=25 January 2008 |title='I just had an aeroplane ticket and a lot of hope' |work=Bucks Free Press |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/1992305.i-just-had-an-aeroplane-ticket-and-a-lot-of-hope/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} He and Levis lived with a supporter of the club for four months, shortly after he was married. He scored 4 goals in 20 league appearances for Basingstoke in the 2003–04 season, whilst he scored twice in 38 games across the 2004–05 season.{{Cite web |title=Sergio Torres profile |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/sergio-torres |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk |publisher=Aylesbury United F.C.}}

In July 2005, Basingstoke Town played in a 7–2 pre-season friendly defeat against Wycombe Wanderers, during which Torres impressed then Wycombe manager John Gorman, who stated that he thought that he could be "worth a look in training".{{Cite news |last=Peters |first=Dave |date=29 July 2005 |title=Blues stoke up the hopes with a magnificent seven |language=en |work=Bucks Free Press |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/618363.blues-stoke-up-the-hopes-with-a-magnificent-seven/ |access-date=5 April 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Peters |first=Dave |date=1 August 2005 |title=Argentinian watched |language=en |work=Bucks Free Press |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/618545.argentinian-watched/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} He was offered a two-year professional contract the following month.{{Cite news |last=Peters |first=Dave |date=27 August 2005 |title=Jet-setting Argentinian lands his dream move |language=en |work=Bucks Free Press |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/625552.jet-setting-argentinian-lands-his-dream-move/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} He made his debut for Wycombe as a 58th-minute substitute in a 0–0 League Two draw with Cheltenham Town on 29 August 2005.{{soccerbase season|41946|2005|access-date=5 April 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Peters |first=Dave |date=2 September 2005 |title=Torres realises his big dream |language=en |work=Bucks Free Press |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/627378.torres-realises-his-big-dream/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} He received the man-of-the-match award on his first start for the club in a 1–0 home victory over Barnet on 17 September 2005, before scoring his first goal for the club on 14 January 2006 with the second of a 2–0 home victory over Notts County.{{Cite news |date=18 January 2006 |title=Wycombe 2 Notts County 0 |language=en |work=Bucks Free Press |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/674236.wycombe-2-notts-county-0/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} He suffered an ankle injury in February 2006 that ruled him out for the rest of the season, despite the initial belief that he would be ruled out for just two weeks.{{Cite news |last=Peters |first=Dave |date=24 November 2006 |title=Lambert backs Torres |language=en |work=Bucks Free Press |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/1039992.lambert-backs-torres/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} He scored once in 29 appearances for Wycombe across the 2005–06 season. Without Torres in the side, Wycombe qualified for the League Two play-offs but were eliminated in the semi-finals to Cheltenham Town following a 2–1 aggregate defeat.{{Cite news |date=18 May 2006 |title=Cheltenham 0-0 Wycombe (agg 2-1) |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/4756543.stm |access-date=11 April 2021}}

In September 2006, Torres signed a one-year extension to his contract at Wycombe, keeping him at the club until summer 2008.{{Cite news |date=26 September 2006 |title=Torres signs new Wycombe contract |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/wycombe_wanderers/5382702.stm |access-date=5 April 2021}} He suffered a knee injury in September 2006, which limited his involvement in the first team that season. He returned to first-team action on 6 January 2007 as a substitute in a 1–1 league draw at home to Rochdale.{{soccerbase season|41946|2006|access-date=5 April 2021}} He made 23 appearances across the 2006–07 season.

Torres scored 5 goals in 46 appearances across the 2007–08 season as the club finished second in League Two and qualified for the League Two play-offs, though the club were eliminated in the play-off semi-final after a 2–1 aggregate defeat to Stockport County.{{soccerbase season|41946|2007|access-date=5 April 2021}}{{Cite news |date=17 May 2008 |title=Wembley dream ends in tears |work=Bucks Free Press |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/2278924.wembley-dream-ends-in-tears/ |access-date=11 April 2021}}

In July 2008, Torres and Wycombe team-mate Russell Martin joined League One side Peterborough United for a joint fee of £200,000, with Torres valued at £150,000.{{Cite news |last=Swann |first=Alan |date=10 July 2008 |title=Torres Signs For Posh |work=Peterborough Evening Telegraph |url=http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/poshnews/Torres-signs-for-Posh.4274216.jp |url-status=dead |access-date=15 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215204553/http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/transport/torres-signs-for-posh-1-110975 |archive-date=15 February 2017}}{{Cite news |date=14 July 2008 |title=Blues get £100,000 for Torres |language=en |work=Bucks Free Press |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/2394772.blues-get-100000-for-torres/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} He made his debut for the club on 9 August 2008 as a substitute in a 1–0 League One defeat away to Southend United.{{soccerbase season|41946|2008|access-date=5 April 2021}} He scored his first goal for the club on 3 March 2009 with the second Peterborough goal of a 3–2 away win at Leyton Orient. The club were promoted to the Championship at the end of the season following a second-placed finish in League One,{{Cite news |date=25 April 2009 |title=Peterborough win seals promotion |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/8002029.stm |access-date=5 April 2021}} with Torres having scored once in 18 appearances.

On 17 September 2009, he joined Lincoln City on a one-month loan.{{Cite news |date=17 September 2009 |title=Torres joins Lincoln from Posh |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/8259620.stm |access-date=24 September 2009}} He scored his first goal for Lincoln on 3 October 2009 with the only goal of a 1–0 home win over Aldershot.{{soccerbase season|41946|2009|access-date=5 April 2021}} He returned to Peterborough the following month after the expiry of his loan deal.{{Cite web |date=19 October 2009 |title=Imps extend Watts stay |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/5638715/imps-extend-watts-stay |website=Sky Sports |access-date=11 April 2021}} He returned to Lincoln on 28 October 2009 on a loan until the end of the season.{{Cite web |date=28 October 2009 |title=Imps seal Torres deal |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/5657197/imps-seal-torres-deal |website=Sky Sports |access-date=11 April 2021}} He suffered an ankle injury in November 2009 which ruled him out for 6 weeks.{{Cite news |date=18 November 2009 |title=Imps' Torres faces six weeks out |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/8366697.stm |access-date=11 April 2021}} He returned to Peterborough prior to the end of the season and made 9 appearances without scoring, whilst he scored twice in 9 matches across his two spells on loan at Lincoln. He was transfer listed again by Peterborough at the end of the 2009–10 season.{{Cite news |date=5 May 2010 |title=Peterborough United transfer-list five players |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/peterborough_united/8662134.stm |access-date=8 May 2010}}

Torres stated that his time at Peterborough "did not work out the way I wanted", and that he considered returning to Argentina and consulted a sports psychologist after not being selected or being played out of position.{{Cite news |date=30 August 2013 |title=Posh almost forced Torres to quit |work=Peterborough Evening Telegraph |url=http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/posh/posh-almost-forced-torres-to-quit-1-5435906 |url-status=dead |access-date=15 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215023126/http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/posh/posh-almost-forced-torres-to-quit-1-5435906 |archive-date=15 February 2017}} He was transfer listed by the club at the end of the season following their promotion.{{Cite news |date=13 May 2009 |title=A dozen listed by Posh |work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11719_5320734,00.html}}

File:Torres, Sergio.jpg

In July 2010, Torres joined Crawley Town on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee reported to be around £100,000 by BBC Sport, a then record fee for the club.{{Cite news |date=8 July 2010 |title=Torres becomes a Red |publisher=Crawley Town F.C. |url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/newsdetails.php?ID=1593 |url-status=dead |access-date=1 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708202701/http://www.crawleytownfc.com/newsdetails.php?ID=1593 |archive-date=8 July 2011 }}{{Cite news |date=8 July 2010 |title=Crawley Town sign Peterborough United's Sergio Torres |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/peterborough_united/8797792.stm |access-date=1 September 2010}}{{Cite news |last=Talbot |first=Bruce |date=9 July 2010 |title=Torres joins Reds for record fee |work=The Argus |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/8262906.torres-joins-reds-for-record-fee/ |access-date=11 April 2021}} In the 2010–11 season, Crawley were promoted to League Two, the fourth tier of English football, for the first time in their history after winning the Conference Premier with a record 105 points.{{Cite news |date=9 April 2011 |title=Tamworth 0–3 Crawley Town |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/9451168.stm |access-date=5 April 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Dunlavy |first=Chris |date=23 June 2020 |title=When Crawley Town succeeded in 'Project Promotion' |language=en |work=The Non-League Paper |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/30880/when-crawley-town-succeeded-in-project-promotion/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} The club also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup where they lost 1–0 to Premier League club Manchester United, though Torres did score the winning goal in their 2–1 fourth round victory over Championship side Derby County.{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Brian |date=9 January 2021 |title=Ten years on, Sergio hopes to see more Crawley glory (and to talk to his idol) |language=en |work=The Argus |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/18999178.crawley-fa-cup-hero-sergio-torres-excited-leeds-tie/ |access-date=5 April 2021}}{{Cite news |date=10 January 2011 |title=Crawley Town 2-1 Derby |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/9341733.stm |access-date=5 April 2021}} Torres made 45 appearances for Crawley across the 2010–11 season and scored 6 goals.{{soccerbase season|41946|2010|access-date=5 April 2021}}

Crawley achieved their second consecutive promotion to League One at the end of the 2011–12 season after finishing third in League Two.{{Cite news |date=5 May 2012 |title=Brewster hails Crawley promotion |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17971610 |access-date=5 April 2021}} He scored 4 goals in 46 appearances for the club across the 2011–12 season.{{soccerbase season|41946|2011|access-date=5 April 2021}} At the end of the season, Crawley took up an option to extend Torres' contract.{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Brian |date=8 May 2012 |title=Mills goes in Reds shake-up |work=The Argus |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/9693868.mills-goes-in-reds-shake-up/ |access-date=11 April 2021}}

Torres made 28 appearances for Crawley across the 2012–13 without scoring.{{soccerbase season|41946|2012|access-date=5 April 2021}}

At the end of the 2013–14, Torres was released by the club{{Cite news |last=Griggs |first=Howard |date=5 May 2014 |title=Crawley release 11 players |language=en |work=The Argus |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/11191983.crawley-release-11-players/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} following a season in which he made 24 appearances without scoring.{{soccerbase season|41946|2013|access-date=5 April 2021}}

File:Sergio Torres Whitehawk captain.jpg

In June 2014 Torres signed for Conference South side Whitehawk, citing his desire to remain living in Brighton and the lack of offers from Football League teams as the reasons for dropping down three divisions.{{Cite web |last=Summers |first=Henry |date=4 July 2014 |title=Hawks sign Sergio Torres! |url=http://whitehawkfc.com/hawks-sign-sergio-torres/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613093617/http://whitehawkfc.com/hawks-sign-sergio-torres/ |archive-date=13 June 2018 |access-date=13 June 2018 |website=whitehawkfc.com |publisher=Whitehawk F.C.}} The club's owners also offered him an office job with KSD Group. Whilst at Whitehawk, the club reached the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history in 2015.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Torres was appointed club captain at Whitehawk for the 2015–2016 season.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} After helping the club reach the league play-offs for two consecutive seasons, Torres was named in the National League South team of the season in 2016, alongside teammates Danny Mills and Nick Arnold.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Tom |date=11 June 2016 |title=Hawks Trio Make Team of the Year |url=http://whitehawkfc.com/hawks-trio-make-team-of-the-year/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625165552/http://whitehawkfc.com/hawks-trio-make-team-of-the-year/ |archive-date=25 June 2018 |access-date=25 June 2018 |website=whitehawkfc.com |publisher=Whitehawk F.C.}}

On 7 June 2017, Torres joined fellow National League South side Eastbourne Borough.{{Cite news |date=7 June 2017 |title=Howell Makes First New Signing for 2017/2018 Season |website=ebfc.co.uk |publisher=Eastbourne Borough F.C. |url=http://www.ebfc.co.uk/news/howell-makes-first-new-signing-for-20172018-season-1831555.html#.WTfp3Jj73AU.twitter |access-date=7 June 2017}} Torres left Eastbourne on 14 August 2021, after he decided to relocated to Spain with his family.{{Cite news |date=1 August 2021|title=Torres bids Adiós|first=Anthony|last=Scott|publisher=Eastbourne Borough F.C.|url=https://www.ebfc.co.uk/news/torres-bids-adis-2635358.html|access-date=9 September 2021}}

Torres lives in Brighton with his wife Lena and his two daughters, Luna and Nala. His wife is Russian, though he first met her whilst she was working in a hotel in Germany where Wycombe Wanderers were playing on a pre-season tour, before she moved to England to study for a master's degree.{{Cite news |date=28 December 2018 |title=Sergio Torres fears Brexit could end the fairy tale careers of overseas footballers in Britain |language=en |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/sergio-torres-exclusive-interview-brexit-football-league-overseas-transfer-signings-a8702066.html |access-date=5 April 2021}} He is of Italian descent through his grandmother, and holds an Italian passport.

Torres is a supporter of Boca Juniors, having trialled with the club aged 15.{{Cite news |date=31 March 2015 |title=Q&A with former Basingstoke Town star Sergio Torres |language=en |work=Basingstoke Gazette |url=https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/11888772.qa-with-former-basingstoke-town-star-sergio-torres/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} In 2013, he published his autobiography with co-author Juan Manuel Lopez, titled: The Sergio Torres Story: From The Brick Factory to Old Trafford.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Johnny |date=8 October 2013 |title=Sergio Torres: From the Brick Factory to the Theatre of Dreams |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/22712/8963703/sergio-torres-from-the-brick-factory-to-the-theatre-of-dreams |access-date=6 April 2021 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=17 January 2018 |title=Story of Argentinian ace Sergio Torres ready for the big screen |language=en |work=The Non-League Paper |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/21579/story-of-argentinian-ace-sergio-torres-ready-for-the-big-screen/ |access-date=5 April 2021}} A biographical film of his career titled The Unknown Torres was subsequently produced by filmmaker Jasper Spanjaart.{{Cite news |date=8 April 2019 |title=Sergio Torres career documented in new film |language=en-US |work=The Non-League Paper |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/26505/sergio-torres-career-documented-in-new-film/ |access-date=5 April 2021}}

Torres is a close friend of current Southampton manager and former Scotland international defender Russell Martin, whom he played alongside at Wycombe Wanderers and Peterborough United.{{Cite web |date=8 May 2019 |title=Russell returns for Sergio film screening |url=https://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/2019/may/russell-returns-for-sergio-film-screening/ |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=wycombewanderers.co.uk |publisher=Wycombe Wanderers F.C. |language=en-gb}} Torres coaches at the Russell Martin Academy in Brighton, run by Martin.{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Brian |date=30 June 2016 |title=Martin aims to make it fun for kids - and he'd love to discover a star or two |language=en |work=The Argus |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/14590865.norwich-city-star-russell-martin-launches-his-football-academy-in-brighton-and-the-accent-is-on-fun/ |access-date=5 April 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Brian |date=20 February 2017 |title=College doors open thanks to Martin - and there's a big day at Norwich in prospect too |language=en |work=The Argus |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/15104523.college-doors-open-thanks-to-russell-martin-academy-and-theres-a-big-day-at-norwich-in-prospect-too/ |access-date=5 April 2021}}

{{updated|match played 6 August 2019}}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

;Peterborough United

• Football League One runners-up: 2008–09

;Crawley Town

• Conference National: 2010–11
• Football League Two third-place promotion: 2011–12

{{Reflist}}

• {{Soccerway}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120919020441/http://guardian.touch-line.com/StatsCentre.asp?Lang=0&CTID=11&CPID=69&pStr=Player&PLID=193726&TEID=494 Guardian statistics]
• {{ESPN FC|68527}}
• [http://www.skysports.com/football/player/0,19754,11764_288469,00.html Sky Sports Profile]

{{Eastbourne Borough F.C. managers}}

{{2015–16 National League South Team of the Year}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Torres, Sergio}}

Category:1981 births

Category:Footballers from Mar del Plata

Category:Living people

Category:Argentine sportspeople of Italian descent

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Argentine men's footballers

Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Basingstoke Town F.C. players

Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players

Category:Peterborough United F.C. players

Category:Lincoln City F.C. players

Category:Crawley Town F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Italian sportspeople of Argentine descent

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:Whitehawk F.C. players

Category:Eastbourne Borough F.C. players

Category:Eastbourne Borough F.C. managers

Category:Argentine football managers

Category:Argentine football coaches

Category:21st-century Argentine sportsmen