Done Deal: Iker Casillas To Leave Real Madrid, Expected To Join FC Porto

Real Madrid have officially parted ways with long-time captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas and have announced he will be joining the Portuguese side FC Porto. This ends Casillas’ 25-year relationship with the Spanish club, a club he has been with since his youth days (joining in 1990) and began playing for professionally since 1999.

Casillas, aged 34, had a year left in his current contract and, amidst current speculation that Manchester United’s David De Gea is expected to join Real to replace the departed Casillas, was expected to leave the club as his name was linked with such names as Fenerbahce from Turkey, Valencia from Spain, and Roma from Italy.

Along with De Gea, Real has Costa Rican international goalkeeper Keylor Navas waiting for his chance at the starting job as Real signed Navas to a six-year deal and Navas played in a couple of games throughout last season.

FC Porto is expected to sign Casillas to a two-year deal with Real Madrid paying 50% of his wages. Real Madrid also announced that Casillas will hold a press conference tomorrow at the Santiago Bernabeu at noon local time to bid farewell to the team and fans he represented for so long.

An official statement from Real Madrid read:

“Real Madrid C. F. and FC Porto have reached a deal on the transfer of Iker Casillas to the Portuguese club.

For Real Madrid today is a day, above all, of thanks and recognition. 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.

This goodbye evokes thousands of sensations and memories charged with hope, anticipation, sacrifice, strength and unique triumph. Iker Casillas has made our coat of arms even greater. He has been our captain and has forged his legend here since he arrived as a child at just nine years of age.

Our club is 113 years old and Casillas has worn our jersey for 25 of those years. During that time he has become one of our finest leaders and has won the respect, affection, admiration and love of the fans beyond colours and afiliations.

3 European Cups, 1 World Club Cup, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 2 European Supercups, 5 Ligas, 2 Copas del Rey and 4 Spanish Supercups with Real Madrid and 1 World Cup and 2 European Championships with the ultimate Spanish national side are an important part of his legacy, but there is much, much more. The Zamora trophy, the Bravo trophy and chosen 5 times as the best goalkeeper in the world. Added to all this is the Premio Príncipe de Asturias de los Deportes (Prince of Asturias Sporting Award).

The complete list is endless and impressive, but above all it is an honour and pride of the madridistas. Iker is leaving, but his legacy is here forever. His attitude and actions in the 725 games he played in the our jersey shine a light on the path for those who dream of being part of this team.”

The Spanish club posted a picture of their captain, along with the official press release, on their Twitter page thanking Iker for his service to the organization along with his accomplishments he achieved while playing for Los Merengues.