Arsenal star Lucas Torreira has a tattoo of his childhood club crest to remind him of his journey to the Premier League
Gunners' summer signing has proved to be an integral part of Unai Emery's team
HIDDEN beneath the sock of Lucas Torreira's right leg is a tattoo that tells the story of his rocky road to the Emirates.
Arsenal's industrious midfielder, the man they paid Sampdoria £26.4million for in 2018, has proven to be fans' favourite at the Emirates, despite problems settling in north London and being linked with a move away.
But not since Gilberto Silva have the Gunners had someone so capable of screening a defence like Torreira.
Yet Torreira is also a man of gratitude, and the ink on his calf proves just that.
It is Torreira's boyhood club Institucion Atletica 18 de Julio, from Fray Bentos in Uruguay - the city made famous for making corned beef.
Having taken his first steps in football in the city, Torreira headed for the capital Montevideo as he looked to make it as a professional footballer.
But Torreira's arranged accommodation suddenly fell through, leaving the 14-year-old homeless.
Luckily for him his former club stepped in to help him out.
READ MORE BRILLIANT FEATURES
"We had a collection between the directors to manage the expenses and the paperwork needed to bring Lucas back," Hugo Ruiz, 18 de Julio sporting co-coordinator, told the .
"I remember seeing on his face a mixture of gratitude and emotion that I still see now.
"He lived his whole childhood here. His love for the club is unconditional."
HEY GOOD LUC-ING Torreira's girlfriend is beautiful psychology student Vittoria Repetto
Torreira's talent inevitably saw him rapidly rise to the top.
Three years later he returned to Montevideo Wanderers which was where he got spotted by Pescara and made the move to Italy.
This time, the accommodation didn't fall through and Torreira didn't get let down.
"In Italy, everything went very quickly," Torreira told Arsenal's official website. "Reaching the top was my main target."
And he earned his move to the Prem by standing out for Uruguay in Russia this summer, seeing Arsenal willing to pay £4m more than his release clause.
"I gave my life for my country and now I am getting this opportunity with Arsenal," Torreira said on his arrival in north London.
"This chance is unique, every child and every footballer dreams of making it to this kind of club.
"Today that chance is mine and I will make the most of it."
