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Courtois was unveiled at the Bernabeu today. PA
boyhood dream

'I dreamt of this moment': Courtois says he has joined the best club in the world

The Belgium international was unveiled as a Real Madrid player today.

THIBAUT COURTOIS BELIEVES he has linked up with “the best club in the world” after trading life at Chelsea for that at Real Madrid.

The Belgium international saw his switch to Spain announced on Wednesday, with the finishing touches having now been put to a €35 million deal.

Courtois has passed a medical in the Spanish capital and put pen to paper on a six-year contract.

The 26-year-old, who has never made any secret of his desire to return to Madrid following previous loan spells at Atletico, is delighted to have seen a protracted saga come to a close.

He is now free to focus on the future with Real and is relishing the opportunity to fulfil a childhood dream on the books of a global heavyweight.

Courtois said at his official unveiling: “Arriving at the best club in the world is a responsibility and an honour.

“Today I fulfil a dream. You cannot imagine how happy I am and how much I have worked to get here. Since childhood, I dreamt of this moment.

“I have been a rival and I know what it is to face Real Madrid. Today I’m one of you. Hala Madrid.”

Courtois had been preparing to enter into the final year of his deal at Chelsea, with no extension put in place.

The Blues saw their hand forced as a result, with the decision taking to cash in on a saleable asset rather than risk losing him on a free in 2019.

A deal with Madrid makes sense for all concerned, with Courtois now back around his young family in the Spanish capital.

Explaining the reasons for his move, the Golden Glove winner at World Cup 2018 said: “I wanted to be closer to my family. I want to say thank you to everybody who has made this possible, particularly the mother of my children. Although we are no longer together you remain a very special person for me.

“Today I am just another Madridista.”

Keylor Navas has vowed to battle with Courtois for starting duties in Madrid this season, but the new boy will be looking to make his debut as soon as possible — with Real set to face arch-rivals Atletico in the Uefa Super Cup on Wednesday.

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