Luis Suarez admits the speed of his departure from Barcelona for Atletico Madrid has taken him aback.

Suarez signed for Atletico on Wednesday and held a farewell media conference this morning.

An emotional Suarez remarked: "It is very difficult for me. This is all unforeseen, I have nothing prepared. I just have to thank the club for signing me. They continued to trust me. It was not easy to accept that.

"The coach, the teammates, everyone, they treated me wonderfully. I will always be grateful. All people know the effort I made to fulfill a dream. I always said that this is the best club in the world. I am aware that a stage is ending. I take friends with me, because it's been many years and I made friends.

"My family knows the suffering I experienced. Let my children see me lift trophies, score goals. That they see me next to the best in history will remain in the memory. I have to thank the fans for everything."

On his split from Barca, Suarez refused to name names.

He continued: "I am with you that it was a crazy month, saying many things that one thought. Things have been invented, things have been leaked that are not true. Sometimes you are outraged by that, but you have to try to stay away.

"When I arrived at Barcelona, they said be careful with Leo, the strikers ... And now it turns out that Leo is hurt by me leaving. We are aware that we try to do our best.

"I already thought (I could still play for Barca), it is the past. Obviously I feel qualified to continue competing in LaLiga. I'm looking forward to it, more after the injury, which leaves me with a bittersweet taste. I go the way I go. With a new illusion and to show that I can continue competing."

Pushed about Ronald Koeman telling him to leave, Suarez added: "When the coach told me, I expected it because it had already been said before. I can accept it and, as I said from the beginning, I had a contract and was going to continue training. I told him that I wanted to keep training until I found a solution."