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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said goalkeeper Iker Casillas made the choice himself and decided the time was right to leave the club after two difficult seasons. Casillas, who had two years left on his contract, confirmed a switch to Portuguese giants Porto and said his farewells at a weekend news conference. The 34-year-old goalkeeper's move brought down the curtain on a 25-year stint at Madrid, and he appeared alongside Perez to speak to reporters at the Bernabeu on Monday. "I wanted to be here for his departure," Perez said. "I have asked Iker, our great captain, to be here with me. "Iker arrived at the age of nine and leaves as the captain, having won it all. He is the best goalkeeper to have played at Real and the best in Spain. He is irreplaceable. "Iker leaves because it was his wish, and we had to accept it. No one at Real has asked him to leave." He said Casillas "has had a lot of pressure in the last two years," with some erratic performances leading to him being whistled by the Bernabeu crowd and resulting in the loss of his first-team place. "I would have liked for Iker to have retired at Real Madrid, but I understand his decision," Perez added. "Iker has all the right in the world to begin a new stage in his career. He deserves our support and affection." The president was quick to dismiss reports suggesting that his relationship with the goalkeeping legend had soured. "Unlike what has been said, I've had a wonderful relationship with him," he said. "We love him, we respect him and the doors of this club will be always open. He is a wonderful person." Perez also refused to be drawn on continuing reports linking Manchester United's David De Gea with a move to the Bernabeu. "De Gea is a magnificent goalkeeper, but he belongs to another club and because of that we have nothing to say in that respect," he said. Casillas, who will return to Madrid with his new club in a testimonial game, thanked Perez for his words. And he added: "I leave taking only the good things with me -- the great ties, the trophies. I will try to spread the name of Real Madrid wherever I go."
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