Real Madrid’s emblematic captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas is set to leave the club for FC Porto after 25 years, during which he won everything in the game with the Spanish giants.
“Real Madrid and FC Porto have agreed the transfer of Iker Casillas to the Portuguese club,” Real said in a statement on Saturday after three days of intense negotiations.
The 34-year-old Casillas leaves a club with which he grew up, joining Real’s youth academy aged nine in 1990 and winning 19 trophies during his 16 seasons as a professional.
Photo: AP
“One of the best goalkeepers in this club is not just leaving. Today, the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the club and in the history of Spanish football is moving on to a new stage in his footballing career,” the statement said.
Casillas had two years left on his contract, but the highly-anticipated transfer is seen as an historic turning point for the club, who are reported to be trying to recruit Manchester United’s 24-year-old Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea to rejuvenate after finishing second in La Liga last season behind Barcelona, who also won the UEFA Champions League title.
“Iker is leaving, but his legacy is here forever. His attitude and actions in the 725 games he played in our jersey shine a light on the path for those who dream of being part of this team,” the statement said.
“This goodbye evokes thousands of sensations and memories charged with hope, anticipation, sacrifice, strength and unique triumph,” the statement added.
In 2010, Casillas made front pages worldwide in a photograph of him raising the FIFA World Cup in South Africa after leading Spain to the title for the first time. However, last summer the image was of a dejected Casillas on his knees, as a rout by the Netherlands helped dump Spain out of the World Cup in Brazil. With Real, Casillas had enchanted the Santiago Bernabeu for years with his catlike reflexes, gravity-defying saves and fearless one-on-ones, earning the nickname “Saint Iker” from fans.
A World Cup winner and two-time European champion with Spain, Casillas clinched five Spanish titles, three Champions League trophies and two Copa del Rey crowns since making his first-team debut with Real in 1999.
Casillas fell out of favor during Jose Mourinho’s reign at Real, but returned to the side after the Mourinho left for Chelsea, winning the Champions League for a third time in 2013-2014.
“Thank you Iker, for everything you have done. Thank you for being a symbol of the best in our history. You are going, but we will never forget that you will always belong to the heart of Real Madrid,” the statement said.
Porto, coached by former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Julen Lopetegui, are to compete in next season’s Champions League after finishing runners-up to SL Benfica in the Primeira Liga last season. Lopetugui already has six Spaniards in his squad and both his assistant coaches are Spanish.
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