Iker Casillas had to fight back the tears as he said goodbye to Real Madrid ahead of his move to Porto
Iker Casillas struggled to hold back the tears on Sunday as the Spanish goalkeeper said his goodbyes to Real Madrid fans before completing his move to Porto.
Casillas joined Real's youth academy in 1990 and has been with the club ever since, winning 18 major honours along the way.
The 34-year-old stopper was clearly emotional during his farewell press conference as he asked the Madrid fans to remember him as a 'good person' rather than a goalkeeper.
A tearful Casillas struggled to read a statement during the press conference a day after Madrid announced he was moving to the northern Portuguese club.
He said: '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.'
'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. Forgiving 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.'
His decision to leave Real is widely believed to have been prompted by the expected arrival of Manchester United's David De Gea, the 24-year-old former Atletico Madrid man who is also being groomed to take over as Spain keeper.
Regular playing time in Portugal for Porto should allow Casillas to extend his international career at least until next year's European Championship in France
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