Real Madrid sign 'keeper Kiko CasillaLast Updated: 17/07/15 3:13pm
Real Madrid have signed goalkeeper Kiko Casilla from Espanyol - a deal which could end their interest in signing Manchester United's David de Gea during this transfer window.The 28-year-old Spain international arrives following the departure of Bernabeu legend Iker Casillas to Porto and will provide competition for Keylor Navas and the inexperienced Fernando Pacheco in the first team.Madrid have been continually linked with a move for De Gea during the summer transfer window but may now opt to renew that interest when the goalkeeper's contract expires at the end of next season.
United are believed to want Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos in exchange for De Gea but the two clubs have been unable to come to an agreement for a player who Real coach Rafa Benitez says remains a firm part of his plans.
The Premier League club bid £28.6m for Ramos at the end of June and Real's reluctance to sell could lead to a similarly firm stance being taken by United over De Gea, even with his contract having just 12 months left to run.
New arrival Casilla, 28, played for Madrid's youth teams before stints with different Spanish clubs."It is a difficult moment for me after so many years with a club that I love, but I knew the chance to join Real Madrid was a unique opportunity and I wanted to seize it," Casilla told a news conference. "It is a train that only goes by once."
After his temporary exile in the lower divisions, he said: "Sometimes it is good to suffer in order to get somewhere. Sometimes it is worth it. Football has not given me an easy time but that way you enjoy moments like this much more.
"I am as excited as a young boy. I went there when I was 14 and now I am lucky enough to be going back."
His steady improvement in Espanyol's net for the past four seasons earned him a debut for Spain in a friendly against Germany in 2014.
Casilla will compete with Keylor Navas for playing time at Madrid, after Casillas left the club following 16 seasons to join Porto last week.
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