Official: Iker Casillas seals a return to Real Madrid

The legendary Real Madrid goalkeeper has returned ‘home’ after ending a career-long association with the club in 2015.

Real Madrid have announced Iker Casillas has joined the club’s foundation as a general director in a brief statement on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old takes on his first role in football after confirming his retirement in August this year. He had initially launched a bid to become president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) before withdrawing from the elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Casillas had since expressed an interest in returning to Real Madrid, whom he left in 2015 to prolong his career at FC Porto in Portugal.

And now the Spaniard’s long-awaited return has finally materialized.

“Real Madrid C.F. have announced that Iker Casillas has joined the Real Madrid Foundation as an assistant to the general director,” read a club statement.

“Iker Casillas is a Real Madrid legend who represents the values of our club and is the best goalkeeper in our history.

Comunicado Oficial: Iker Casillas#RealMadrid

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 22, 2020

“Iker Casillas won 19 titles during the 25 years representing the club: 3 European Cups, 3 World Club Cups, 2 European Super Cups, 5 Leagues, 2 Copa del Rey, and 4 Spanish Super Cups. In Portugal, with Porto, he won 2 Leagues, 1 Cup and 1 Super Cup.

“He was capped 167 times by the Spanish national team and won 1 World Cup, 2 European Cups, and 1 Under-20 World Cup.

“He has received prestigious awards for both his sporting career and his human qualities, such as the Prince of Asturias Sports Award, the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit, the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit and the Gold Medal of the Community of Madrid.

“Real Madrid are proud to welcome one of their great captains back home.”

Casillas has also taken to social media to express his joy at the club’s announcement.

“[I am] proud to come home. I face this new challenge with all the enthusiasm and desire in the world, thank you for the welcome,” he wrote on Twitter.

Orgulloso de volver a casa. Afronto este nuevo reto con toda la ilusión y ganas del mundo, gracias por la bienvenida 🙌🏼 https://t.co/tFDu7uxMHE

— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) December 22, 2020