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What a couple of days.
Leeds United have sealed the signing of goalkeeper Kiko Casilla from Real Madrid.
MARCA: Kiko Casilla flying to England to complete is move to Leeds.
— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) January 15, 2019
ONDA CERO: Kiko Casilla -> Leeds United to become official in a matter of hours. pic.twitter.com/dAMnibAKKi
The 32 year-old keeper joins Leeds after being left out in the cold by the summer acquisition of Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea by the defending Champions League winners. Casilla came up through the youth system at Real Madrid, but he left to go to Espanyol before returning to the Spanish capital.
Casilla has made one appearance for Spain back in 2014, and he’s also been on loan at Cadiz and FC Cartagena while he was on the books of Real Madrid earlier in his career.
This is a huge deal for Leeds, as players from La Liga typically don’t go to the Championship, much less players from Real Madrid, This deal is certainly down to the relationship that Victor Orta has with people in Spain and the respect that Marcelo Bielsa has throughout the world. After all, Espanyol is one of Bielsa’s former clubs.
Anyway, welcome to Leeds, Kiko!