Kiko Casilla explains why he quit Real Madrid for Leeds United | OneFootball

Following his move from Real Madrid to Leeds United, Spanish goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has said he believed in the Championship club’s “dream”.

Casilla completed his transfer last week, ending a three-and-a-half year spell at the Bernabéu.

“The offer came from Leeds and I liked the idea; the dream they sold when trying to sign me,” Casilla has explained in an interview with Marca.

“Playing in England is something that has always interested me, and I think it was the right time to leave Madrid. Escaping my comfort zone and delving into a new adventure.”

Looking back, Casilla admitted he decided to leave Madrid back in the summer.

With Thibaut Courtois arriving at the club, Casilla was demoted to third-choice goalkeeper behind the Belgian and Keylor Navas.

“There was a point after the signing of Thibaut [Courtois] in the summer where my intention was to leave,” Casilla explained, but he didn’t receive an attractive offer in the summer and stuck around.

“I decided to stay, knowing that hard months were coming because I was the third goalkeeper and at 32 it’s not to everyone’s taste.

“I had to keep working, training, being a part of the group and remaining positive. I knew it would be a difficult year or half a year.”

Looking ahead, Casilla confirmed that the chance to play for Marcelo Bielsa made his decision to move to Elland Road a simper one.

“I think working with a coach like him is appealing to a lot of players, from his style to his mentality.

“Victor Orta, too, who is the sporting director; he came to see me in Madrid to say that Bielsa wanted me, what Leeds United were about and the decision was made then.

“I wanted to leave my comfort zone and feel the pressure of playing again. I saw this as a great opportunity.”

Casilla made his Leeds bow on Monday, lining up for the club’s U-23 side in a 3-2 win against Southampton.

The Championship leaders are in action again when they face Yorkshire rivals on Saturday and Casilla will hope to make his full debut for the club in that game.