Photos: Morata switches from jersey no 9 to 29

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata will wear the number 29 shirt for the 2018/19 season.

Alvaro Morata has decided to change from the number 9 he wore last season to celebrate and pay tribute to his family after his wife Alice Campello gave birth to twins Alessandro and Leonardo on Sunday – 29 July.

‘It is a day I will never forget, to welcome my twin sons into the world. My family is so important to me and I want to honour them and my wife, Alice, when I am on the pitch which is why I have decided to take a different number for the new season and remember this special day by adding the number 2 to my shirt.

‘I am sorry to the fans who may have bought a number 9 with my name already, but I hope you understand my tribute and that it will not be a problem and we can make you a new one with the 29. Thank you for your support and I hope this year there will be lots more to celebrate.’

A new season, a new number. I welcomed my baby boys into the world on 29 July and now I take them with me into the pitch. Let’s make it a special season Blues 👊🏼 💙 #29 @chelseafc

A post shared by Álvaro Morata (@alvaromorata) on Aug 3, 2018 at 7:45am PDT