As if the Friday mullering of Derby County, albeit marred somewhat by the rumblings of SpyGate, wasn’t good enough, there came news that Leeds United had ended their stopper search by capturing Real Madrid back-up Kiko Casilla.
The ever-reliable Phil Hay was the first to break the news in a big way, creating more than a ripple amongst already ecstatic Leeds United fans. The news put forward was that Casilla was swapping Los Blancos for the Whites, Leeds buying out the remainder of his Real deal.
Essentially, Leeds United are bringing in Real Madrid’s #2 keeper from last season. That alone is enough to justify this transfer with the term ‘coup capture’.
Leeds had been linked with a number of domestic keepers as they looked to provide strength at one of the most key positions. Karl Darlow (Newcastle United) and Kieren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday). However, it is to the Santiago Bernabeu that United turn and to Kiko Casilla – a keeper relegated to third-choice behind Thibault Courtois and Keylor Navas.
Earlier, in a Twitter conversation, BBC journalist Adam Pope posted the following tweet that details on the deal for the soon-to-arrive Casilla.
I understand it will be in the region of €1.7m euros to buy out Casilla from the 18 months remaining on his contract. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) January 15, 2019
That €1.7m buyout equates to a cost of £1.5m to buy out the Spanish stopper’s remaining 18 months of his Real Madrid deal. Spread that ‘cost’ over the course of 18 months (equivalent to 78 weeks) and you’ve got a top-notch keeper coming in at a cost of around £19,200-per-week.
In short? A bargain.