‘Casillas never doubted Porto’

Porto Coach Julen Lopetegui says Iker Casillas wanted to join the club from the moment the two men first spoke about it.

The former Real Madrid goalkeeper this week ended his 25-year association with Los Blancos in order to make the move to Portugal.

The 34-year-old has since joined his new teammates at their pre-season training camp in Holland and, following his side’s first match of the tour against Fortuna Sittard, Lopetegui spoke of the effort Casillas had made in bringing about the transfer.

“He had a great excitement to come,” he told journalists. “Iker made just as much effort as Porto for him to come here. That shows how big Porto are. It is good for Porto and for Iker.

“He told me that he likes our style of play and that he was going to feel very comfortable. I explained to him what the club was like and he didn’t doubt it for a second.

“He has a lot of desire and he is like a new child at the nursery!”

Lopetegui then outlined the qualities he thinks Casillas will bring to the team as they go in search of a first League title in three years this season.

“He will bring experience, personality, he is a champion and obviously we are delighted he is here.

“Iker will give us that assuredness we will need at important moments. The most important thing is that Iker wants to continue competing, continue learning.

“He has the competitive humility that he has always had and we will help him to continue having that.”

Tags Casillas Lopetegui Porto Spain
La Liga - Club News