IKER CASILLAS BID an emotional farewell to Real Madrid on Sunday as he confirmed he is now a Porto player.
The goalkeeper brings an end to 25 years at the Santiago Bernabeu side to join the Portuguese outfit after a deal was agreed on Saturday night.
And a tearful Casillas, who sat alone at his press conference, thanked the club’s fans for all the support they have shown him during his trophy-laden spell at the club, and says he is looking forward to continuing his career.
“I have come to this great stadium today to say goodbye to all of you,” he said. “Especially to the Madrid fans. As of Saturday I’m no longer a Real Madrid player, now I’ll be a Porto player.
“I am moving to Porto for many reasons. Firstly I am joining Porto because of the excitement that the coach has transmitted to me.
“Secondly, because of their affection, they have won me over. I’ll do everything I can to not disappoint them and fight as hard as possible to win as many titles as I possibly can there.”
Struggling to get his words out, the World Cup winning goalkeeper spoke of the influence Madrid has had on him as a person and an athlete, urging the fans to remember him as a “good person” instead of a goalkeeper.
“This club didn’t just teach me how to be a sportsman, it taught me how to be a person.
“I’ve learned a lot form all of my coaches. They have been a fundamental part of my development and my career.
“Every day we’ve been forming a part of Real Madrid and they’ve always supported me.
“I want to say thank you to my parents and all my family.
“Thank you to the Madrid fans for their support, helping me lift every cup, every triumph, for being with me in the good moments and the bad moments.
“For giving me a hand when I needed lifting up. I don’t want to be remembered as a good goalkeeper or a bad goalkeeper, I just want to be remembered as a good person, with my faults.
“Thank you. Thank you. A thousand thank yous. Wherever I go, I will always shout ‘Hala Madrid’.
“I’m sure in the future we’ll see each other. I’m not going to say goodbye, because it’s not goodbye. I hope to see you soon. Thank you, to all of you.”
