Real Madrid CF and FC Porto have agreed to the transfer of Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas to the Portuguese club. The official announcement was made on Saturday, July 11, 2015. The historical day was one that was fully charged with emotion both for the payer, the club and the fans.

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"Today the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the club and in the history of Spanish football is moving on to a new stage in his footballing career," read the official statement on the Real Madrid website. The club did not fall short in expressing gratitude and recognition to Casillas who has worn the Real Madrid jersey for 25 long years.

Casillas joined Real Madrid as part of the youth academy at just 9 years old. He has worked his way up the ranks to the first team and eventually held the captaincy of the club. During his time with the best club of the 20^th century, Casillas was instrumental in adding to the already formidable trophy cabinet. He took part in winning the following titles among many other awards:

-         3 European Cups (UEFA Champions League)

-         1 World Club Cup

-         2 Intercontinental Cups

-         2 European Supercups

-         5 Spanish Ligas

-         2 Copas del Rey

-         4 Spanish  Supercups 

As a member of a very successful Spanish National Team, Casillas also brought glory to his nation. He was part of the teams that won the following titles:

-         1 World Cup (2010, South Africa)

-         2 European Championships

"After 25 years of defending the crest of the world's greatest football team, a difficult day has arrived in my sporting career. It is time to say goodbye to this institution which has given me everything," said Casillas in a press conference held on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

He went on to recall the many years he spent with the club and thanked all of his previous teammates. He also thanked all of the managers that he worked with from his very first games all the way to Carlo Ancelotti, who left the club at the end of the last season.

Finally after thanking his family, Casillas expressed his gratitude to the Real Madrid supporters who have been behind him for so many years. All that he asked in the end is to be remembered not as a good goalkeeper but as a good person. He now looks forward to his new adventure in Portugal where he will be joined by his wife and child.

Meanwhile, as Casillas and the club exchange praises for one another, the Mirror reports that Casillas' mother wasn't too pleased with the move. According to the report, Maria del Carmen Fernandez insulted Real Madrid and Porto by saying that her son deserved to be in a better club such as Barcelona. 

TagsIker Casillas, real madrid, transfer news, Porto, Speech, Farewell, Spanish National Team, press conference, Santiago Bernabeu