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An official statement from Real Madrid announced the departure of their long-serving captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas to Porto. The move of the veteran is another piece in the puzzle of the imminent move of Manchester United’s stopper David De Gea to the capital.
The Los Blancos legend has spent 25 years in the Spanish capital, and has won 5 La Liga titles, 2 Copa Del Reys, 3 Champions League, 4 Supercopa De Espana, 1 Uefa Super Cup,1 FIFA World Cup and the 1 Intercontinental Cup in the famous White jersey. He made 725 appearances for the side, and even after a dip in form recently first spotted by Jose Mourinho, he was still an indispensable player at Santiago Bernabeu.
The move has been sealed by both the clubs ahead of the Madrid’s pre-season tour to China and Australia which commences on Monday. The club has ensured that the keeper will earn the same at the Portuguese club as he would have by staying at Real till 2017 when his contract is to expire. Porto will be paying the difference between the £5.4million (€7.5m) salary he earns at Madrid and the £2.5m (€3.5m), Porto is willing to offer, Dailymail reports.
"An offer from FC Porto exists and Casillas is enthusiastic with that possibility," Casillas's agent Carlo Cutropia told Marca.
Teammate Dani Carvajal has backed Casillas’s decision to move to Portugal. He said,"I have an exceptional relationship with Casillas, and if he's made that decision, I think it will be the best for him."(Eurosport)
It is believed that the captain will be given a fitting farewell by the club and fans, and a ceremony has been planned. "We don't want it to be a goodbye, but a see you soon because the door will always be open for Casillas at Real Madrid", a source at the Bernabéu told Marca. It is expected that the club president Florentino Perez will be present at the ceremony along with Casillas’s family and teammates.
Casillas’s Exit paves way for De Gea’s Entry
Manchester United’s Player Of the season for the last two campaigns David De Gea has been linked to a move to the Spanish capital for a while now, and with Casillas’s transfer to Porto, makes his move almost certain (Independent). De Gea has although reported for training in the United’s camp, his move to Spain is highly likely in the coming few weeks.
Real Madrid made the announcement via their official Twitter handle:
