{"id":341098,"date":"2019-01-17T06:22:30","date_gmt":"2019-01-17T11:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=341098"},"modified":"2020-08-21T12:08:28","modified_gmt":"2020-08-21T16:08:28","slug":"real-madrid-goalkeeper-kiko-casilla-joins-leeds-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/01\/17\/real-madrid-goalkeeper-kiko-casilla-joins-leeds-united\/","title":{"rendered":"Real Madrid Goalkeeper Kiko Casilla Joins Leeds United"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leeds United have announced the signing of Real Madrid<\/a> goalkeeper Kiko Casilla<\/a>. \u00a0It signals a statement of intent from Leeds, who currently lie top of the Sky Bet Championship. Casilla joins on a four-and-a-half year deal.<\/p>\n

Kiko Casilla Signs For Leeds United<\/h1>\n

His Career<\/h2>\n

The goalkeeper started his career at Real Madrid Castilla, Los Blancos’ reserve side. After only making five appearances for them, he then joined Espanyol in 2007.<\/p>\n

However, after struggling to make it into the first team there, he joined Cadiz on loan for a season. Casilla also had another loan spell in his time at Espanyol, playing for Cartagena in the 2010\/11 season.<\/p>\n

Following his return to Espanyol, he reclaimed the number one spot in goal. From the 2011\/12 season until 2014\/15 he was the first team goalkeeper, making a total of 111 appearances.<\/p>\n

In the summer of 2015, he then rejoined Real Madrid. However, he has struggled to break into the first team consistently and has made just a total of 25 appearances in three years at the Bernabeu. This is partly due to those ahead of him, both Keylor Navas and Thibaut Courtois, making him the third choice.<\/p>\n

Joining at a Vital Time<\/h2>\n

The signing of Casilla will undoubtedly strengthen the Leeds United first team. Current first team goalkeeper\u00a0Bailey Peacock-Farrell has come under criticism<\/a> at points this season for inconsistent performances. There were calls for him to be sent off<\/a> in their game against Derby County following a poor challenge on Duane Holmes. The signing of Casilla will more than likely see the young keeper dropped to the bench.<\/p>\n

Casilla will be joining at the start of a difficult run of fixtures. It is likely he will be in line to start against Stoke City<\/a> on Saturday. Following this, Leeds face an away trip to Rotherham before facing promotion rivals Norwich<\/a> at Elland Road. This run of fixtures is finished off with another trip, this time to Middlesbrough.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a>