An Unforgettable Transfer as Iker Casillas Moves to Porto

Real Madrid fans all over the world have mourned deeply this this July as it was officially announced that Iker Casillas, Real Madrid's legendary goalkeeper and former captain is transferring to one of Portugal's top football clubs, Porto. In the second week of July, Los Blancos announced on their official website that Casillas will be leaving the team and moving to Porto. Real Madrid acknowledged that Casillas had been the best goalkeeper in the club's history and said "this is… a goodbye of a million sensations, full of hopes, dreams, sacrifices and wins". Casillas has played with Real Madrid for 16 years, starting in 1999; he had also played in Real Madrid's youth team from 1990 to 1998. He has made 725 official appearances for the club. In his time with Real Madrid, Casillas led the team to numerous victories in Spain, in Europe and abroad, resulting in 18 trophies in total: five La Liga titles (2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2011-12), two Copa del Rey cups (2010-11, 2013-14), four Spanish Super Cups (2001, 2003, 2008, 2012), three Champions League titles (1999-00, 2001-02, 2013-14), two UEFA Super Cups (2002, 2014), one FIFA Club World Cup (2014) and one Intercontinental Cup (2002). Casillas has won the IFFHS Wold's Best Goalkeeper Award for five consecutive years and is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time. On Sunday, 12 July, Real Madrid gave Casillas an official send off. At the press conference, Casillas had a hard time controlling his tears as he bid an emotional goodbye to the team he has played for since his teens. Casillas said: "After 25 years defending the emblem of the biggest club in the world, this is one of the hardest days of my life… this club has not only taught me to be a sportsman but also taught me human values, being, those of respect, camaraderie and humility". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oHxtC4dCuM Casillas' transfer met with varied reactions from colleagues. Uruguay striker Diego Furlan called Casillas' signing with Porto "a step back for Iker". He said, "I have huge respect for Porto, another great club who consistently challenge for titles…but let's not pretend they're Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in the world." Jose Mourinho, manager for English club Chelsea, who fell out with Casillas during their time together at Real Madrid, expressed his amazement at Casillas expected net salary of €2.5 million in Porto, saying "this kind of spending breaks all rules". Following Casillas' departure, Real Madrid is planning to replace him with Manchester United's David De Gea as goalkeeper. Talks are currently taking place between the two teams for De Gea's transfer, but nothing is final yet.