Real signs goalkeeper Casilla to replace Casillas

Real Madrid goalkeeper goalkeeper Francisco "Kiko" Casilla. (Andres Kudacki/AP)

BARCELONA, Spain — Real Madrid has acquired goalkeeper Kiko Casilla from fellow Spanish club Espanyol to replace departed talisman Iker Casillas.

Espanyol president Joan Collet says, "Kiko Casilla will be transferred to Real Madrid."

Casilla, 28, played for Madrid’s youth teams before stints with different Spanish clubs.

His steady improvement in Espanyol’s net for the past four seasons earned him a debut for Spain in a friendly against Germany in 2014.

Casilla will compete with Keylor Navas for playing time at Madrid, after Casillas left the club following 16 seasons to join Porto last week.

Madrid had been linked to a move by Manchester United goalie David de Gea.

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