Real Madrid have confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Porto for the sale of Iker Casillas.
The transfer initially appeared to have broken down due to a disagreement over taxation in relation to how Los Blancos would pay the 34-year-old the remaining €5.5m of his contract, with Porto footing the first €10m of his two-year salary, but the two parties have now struck a deal.
A statement on Madrid’s official website reads: “Real Madrid and Porto have agreed the transfer of Iker Casillas to the Portuguese club.
“For Real Madrid, today is a day, above all, of acknowledgment. Not only is one of our best-ever goalkeepers leaving, but the best goalkeeper in our history is moving on to a new chapter in his footballing career.
“Therefore, there is, in this goodbye, a million sensations, full of hopes, dreams, sacrifices, memories, efforts and only triumph. Iker Casillas has made our badge even greater.
“He was our captain and forged his legacy since arriving as a child of only nine years.
“Our club is 113 years old and Casillas has defended our jersey for 25 of those years.
“During that time, Iker has managed to become one of our main reference points and earned the respect, affection, admiration and love of the fans beyond colours and affiliations.
“Two Champions Leagues, one Club World Cup, two Intercontinental Cups, two European Super Cups, five League titles, two Copa del Reys and four Supercopas with Real Madrid, and one World Cup and two European Championships with the Spanish national team are an important part of his legacy, but there is more.
“[He also won] the Zamora trophy, Bravo trophy and was named as the best goalkeeper in the world on five occasions.
“There is also the Prince of Asturias Sporting Award. The full list is impressive and endless, but mostly it is a pride and an honour for Real Madrid.
“Iker is gone, but his example remains. His conduct during the 725 matches played in our shirt shows the light to those who dream of being part of this team.
“Thanks, Iker, for everything you’ve done. Thanks for being a symbol of the best in our history.
“You’re going, but we’ll never forget that you’ll always belong to the heart of Real Madrid.”
Casillas originally broke into the Madrid team during the 1999-00 campaign and went on to make 725 appearances for the club over the next 16 years.
However, a reported feud with former Coach Jose Mourinho saw him dropped from the team in January 2013, while he only featured in Champions League and Copa del Rey matches the following season.
Nonetheless, he regained his first-choice status in time for 14-15 and subsequently led the team to the European Super Cup and Club World Cup.
