If most clubs lost their first choice goalkeeper to injury they would promote somebody from the youth team or draft in a loan signing as a temporary, but not Real Madrid.
Madrid stalwart Iker Casillas injured his thumb in midweek during a Copa Del Rey game and was replaced by second choice Antorio Adan for the rest of the game. With Casillas set to be out for around 4 months the Spanish giants have just bought another ‘keeper, simple as that.
Diego Lopez has arrived in Madrid from Sevilla in a deal worth around £4 million and he will have no trouble settling in to his new surroundings as he will know them pretty well already having risen through the Real Madrid ranks earlier in his career.
Lopez played 57 games for Real Madrid C, 41 games for Real Madrid B and just 2 games for Real Madrid before moving to Villarreal in search of more regular first team football. Like many before him Lopez was unable to displace Iker Casillas from the Real Madrid goal but has now returned to the Spanish capital in order to cover for Spain’s number 1.
The return of Lopez shows the attraction of playing for arguably the World’s biggest club, “It is a dream to return my home again,” he said. “Today the deal has happened very fast and I am very happy to return to the place I consider my home. “
“For a Madridista like myself, to return to Real Madrid is the best thing that could have happened in my career. I am eager to start this great new challenge.”
Sam Jewell