Iker Casillas breaks down in tears as Spanish legend bids emotional farewell to Real Madrid ahead of move to Porto

Iker Casillas struggled to hold back the tears on Sunday as the Spanish goalkeeper said his goodbyes to Real Madrid fans before completing his move to Porto.

Casillas joined Real's youth academy in 1990 and has been with the club ever since, winning 18 major honours along the way. 

The 34-year-old stopper was clearly emotional during his farewell press conference as he asked the Madrid fans to remember him as a 'good person' rather than a goalkeeper. 

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Iker Casillas had to fight back the tears as he said goodbye to Real Madrid ahead of his move to Porto

Iker Casillas had to fight back the tears as he said goodbye to Real Madrid ahead of his move to Porto

A tearful Casillas struggled to read a statement during the press conference on Sunday morning

A tearful Casillas struggled to read a statement during the press conference on Sunday morning

The 34-year-old thanked Madrid fans for their support and asked them to remember him as a 'good person'

The 34-year-old thanked Madrid fans for their support and asked them to remember him as a 'good person'

A tearful Casillas struggled to read a statement during the press conference a day after Madrid announced he was moving to the northern Portuguese club.

He said: 'I have come to this great stadium today to say goodbye to all of you,' he said. 'Especially to the Madrid fans. As of Saturday I'm no longer a Real Madrid player, now I'll be a Porto player. I am moving to Porto for many reasons.

'Firstly I am joining Porto because of the excitement that the coach has transmitted to me. Secondly, because of their affection, they have won me over. I'll do everything I can to not disappoint them and fight as hard as possible to win as many titles as I possibly can there.'

'This club didn't just teach me how to be a sportsman, it taught me how to be a person. I've learned a lot form all of my coaches. They have been a fundamental part of my development and my career. Every day we've been forming a part of Real Madrid and they've always supported me. I want to say thank you to my parents and all my family.

After 25 years of defending the crest of the greatest team in the world, the most difficult day in my sports career has arrived: I have to say goodbye to an institution that's given me everything. During all this time, we've suffered, laughed, cried and had a good time together. I’ve always felt loved and the club has been unfailingly there for me, in both the good times and the bad times. This club has not only taught me to be an athlete, it has pushed me to develop as a person. It has helped me to grow, instilling in me the values that its crest defends: respect, team spirit, commitment, humility... and I've tried to reflect those values wherever I've represented Real Madrid. Today I'd like to make a special mention to all my team-mates. Throughout all these years, we've experienced unique and unrepeatable times together, team-mates with whom I've formed a family and shared tears of both joy and sadness. I'm leaving some great friends, but I know that wherever I may be, I can always count on them, just like they can count on me. My coaches and their staff have been my teachers, the best in the world: I'd like to thank them all, for their advice, their understanding, their experience and their professionalism. I’ve learned so much from all of them. I'd also like to thank all the staff: They've always been ready to support me and solve any problem. And all my affection for my parents and all my family, who through their efforts and devotion helped me to embark on this journey. And above all, my wife and my son, because they will be by my side every day, sharing every second of this exciting period in my life. And these final words, I dedicate them especially to all of you, Real Madrid fans, who know no bounds. Thank you for your unconditional support, for allowing me to raise each cup, for each victory, for being your captain, for being there in the good times and the bad, for extending your hand to me and for lifting me up. Don’t remember me for being a good or bad goalkeeper... Remember me as a good person, with its defects. Thank you to so many for so much. I'll never forget you, and wherever I go, I'll continue to shout: Hala Madrid!!!!!

A photo posted by Iker Casillas (@ikercasillasoficial) on

The Spain goalkeeper faced the media alone as his glittering career with Madrid comes to an end

The Spain goalkeeper faced the media alone as his glittering career with Madrid comes to an end

Casillas has spent 25 years with the Spanish giants, winning 18 major trophies along the way

Casillas has spent 25 years with the Spanish giants, winning 18 major trophies along the way

Casillas won three Champions League winner's medals and five La Liga titles during his time at Real Madrid

Casillas won three Champions League winner's medals and five La Liga titles during his time at Real Madrid

'Thank you to the Madrid fans for their support, helping me lift every cup, every triumph, for being with me in the good moments and the bad moments. Forgiving me a hand when I needed lifting up. I don't want to be remembered as a good goalkeeper or a bad goalkeeper, I just want to be remembered as a good person, with my faults.

'Thank you. Thank you. A thousand thank yous. Wherever I go, I will always shout Hala Madrid.

'I’m sure in the future we’ll see each other. I’m not going to say goodbye, because it’s not goodbye. I hope to see you soon. Thank you, to all of you.'

His decision to leave Real is widely believed to have been prompted by the expected arrival of Manchester United's David De Gea, the 24-year-old former Atletico Madrid man who is also being groomed to take over as Spain keeper.

Regular playing time in Portugal for Porto should allow Casillas to extend his international career at least until next year's European Championship in France.

Real Madrid took to Twitter to post this graphic to thank Casillas for his service to the club

Real Madrid took to Twitter to post this graphic to thank Casillas for his service to the club

Casillas' move to Portuguese side Porto could speed up David de Gea's proposed move to Real Madrid

Casillas' move to Portuguese side Porto could speed up David de Gea's proposed move to Real Madrid

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