Iker Casillas to Porto: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More

Real Madrid have confirmed veteran goalkeeper Iker Casillas will join Porto, and he departs Los Blancos having joined the club as a boy in 1991.

Casillas won five Liga titles and three Champions Leagues with Madrid, but a recent dip in form led to widespread speculation that he would depart the Bernabeu.

His departure has now been confirmed, with Real Madrid making the announcement on their official website on Saturday. The statement said: "Real Madrid C. F. and FC Porto have reached a deal on the transfer of Iker Casillas to the Portuguese club."

The statement also offered a heartfelt message of thanks to the 'keeper: "Thank you, Iker, for everything you have done. Thank you for being a symbol of the best in our history. You are going but we will never forget that you'll always belong to the heart of Real Madrid."

Casillas is no longer the unbeatable force he once was between the posts, and he followed up a dreadful 2014 World Cup with Spain with an error-strewn term for Real.

As predicted by Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell, his decline in form has led to him exiting Real Madrid, with Manchester United's David De Gea the likely long-term replacement:

However, he still has much to offer at Porto, not least a vast amount of experience and a great ability to read a match.

Having conceded just 13 goals in the league last year, a goalkeeper would not have been a priority for the Dragons, but Casillas will presumably take over from last season's No. 1 Fabiano, who has gone on loan to Fenerbahce.

The Spaniard remains an excellent stopper, and regardless of whether they needed him, Porto have done well to fend off competition for a player of his almost unrivalled pedigree.

The 34-year-old will likely enjoy regular football and can use next season as a lengthy audition to play for Spain in the 2016 European Championship.

Furthermore, Casillas could well thrive away from the Bernabeu. He has taken a huge amount of criticism at Madrid lately, which cannot have helped his performances, per Spanish football writer Lee Roden:

He will surely be given a fitting send-off by Madrid, though, having been such a dedicated servant to the club for almost 25 years.

Casillas is still a quality goalkeeper, but his time in the high-pressure environment at Real Madrid has come to an end.