Kiko Casilla

Francisco "Kiko" Casilla Cortés (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkiko kaˈsiʎa]; born 2 October 1986) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for English club Leeds United as a goalkeeper.

Not to be confused with Iker Casillas.
This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Casilla and the second or maternal family name is Cortés.

Kiko Casilla
Casilla playing for Espanyol in 2015
Personal information
Full name Francisco Casilla Cortés[1]
Date of birth (1986-10-02) 2 October 1986[2]
Place of birth Alcover, Spain
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[3]
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Leeds United
Number 13
Youth career
2000 Gimnàstic
2000–2004 Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Real Madrid C 8 (0)
2006–2007 Real Madrid B 5 (0)
2007–2008 Espanyol B 25 (0)
2008–2015 Espanyol 115 (0)
2008–2010 → Cádiz (loan) 66 (0)
2010–2011 → Cartagena (loan) 35 (0)
2015–2019 Real Madrid 25 (0)
2019– Leeds United 52 (0)
National team‡
2005 Spain U19 3 (0)
2008 Spain U21 1 (0)
2014– Spain 1 (0)
2010– Catalonia 5 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17 May 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2014

He started playing for Real Madrid, but only represented the reserve teams in the early stage of his career. He went on to appear in 126 competitive matches for Espanyol over six La Liga seasons before returning to his previous club in 2015, with whom he won three UEFA Champions League titles as backup to Keylor Navas.

Casilla won one cap for Spain, in 2014.

Club career

Real Madrid

Born in Alcover, Tarragona, Catalonia, Casilla did not enjoy much playing time in his two-year stint with Real Madrid reserve side, Real Madrid Castilla. In the 2005–06 season, he played in Segunda División after having graduated from the C-team, being only third-choice after Jordi Codina and David Cobeño.[4]

After only four appearances, Casilla was expected to receive more opportunities after the departure of first-choice Cobeño. However, Codina became the starter and Antonio Adán, a fellow youth graduate, the backup, and Casilla ended up playing only in the last game of the campaign, with an eventual relegation befalling.[5][4]

Espanyol
Casilla in 2013

In August 2007, Casilla was acquired by RCD Espanyol on a free transfer. On 20 January 2008, he made his debut in La Liga in a 1–2 away loss against Real Valladolid, coming on as a substitute for injured Iñaki Lafuente two minutes after half-time as the habitual starter Carlos Kameni was away on international duty;[6][7] that month, news surfaced that Arsenal were interested in acquiring the young Spaniard's services.[8]

Barred by Kameni and new signing Cristian Álvarez, Casilla joined Segunda División B side Cádiz CF on loan for 2008–09.[9] The move was extended for the entirety of the following campaign after the Andalusians returned to division two, and he again started most of the season, but the team was immediately relegated back.[10]

Casilla still sat on the bench for Espanyol's first game in 2010–11 but, on 31 August 2010, moved again on loan, to second division's FC Cartagena.[11] Subsequently, returned to the Pericos, he constantly battled for first-choice status with Álvarez.[12]

After the Argentine left, Casilla became the undisputed starter. On 1 February 2015, he was sent off against Sevilla FC for handling Iago Aspas' shot outside of the penalty area, and his replacement Pau López could not prevent an eventual 2–3 defeat.[13]

Return to Real Madrid

On 17 July 2015, Casilla returned to Real Madrid on a five-year contract for €6 million.[14] He made his competitive debut on 31 October, in a 3–1 win over UD Las Palmas.[15]

Casilla played understudy to Keylor Navas in his first season,[16] appearing in seven official matches. Two of those came in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League,[17][18] as the tournament ended in conquest.[19]

On 9 August 2016, Casilla was in goal for injured Navas in the 3–2 triumph against fellow Spaniards Sevilla for the UEFA Super Cup, in Trondheim.[20] He managed to contribute more in his second year,[21] and the club won the national championship after a five-year wait;[22][23] his Champions League input consisted of the 2–1 group phase win over Sporting CP,[24] as they again emerged victorious in the competition.[25]

During 2017–18, Casilla made two appearances in the Champions League[26] and 17 in all competitions[27] as Madrid won their third consecutive and 13th overall title in the tournament.[28] In the following campaign, after the summer signing of Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois, he was further demoted down the pecking order.[29]

Leeds United

On 17 January 2019, the 32-year-old Casilla moved abroad for the first time in his career and signed a four-and-a-half-year contract at Leeds United of the English Championship.[30][31] He made his debut nine days later, in a 2–1 win against Rotherham United.[32]

In September 2019, Casilla was accused of racially abusing Charlton Athletic forward Jonathan Leko in a match between the two teams; The Football Association said they would investigate.[33] He was charged by the FA but remained available for selection during the investigation.[34] On 28 February 2020, he received an eight-game ban and £60,000 fine after being found guilty.[35]

International career
Casilla playing for Catalonia in 2013

Casilla represented Spain at under-21 level once, playing 29 minutes in a 2–0 friendly defeat of France in Benidorm.[36] On 29 August 2014, he was called up to full side manager Vicente del Bosque's 23-man squad for matches against France and Macedonia in September, as third-choice behind Iker Casillas and David de Gea.[37] He only made his debut, however, on 18 November, replacing the former for the last 14 minutes of a friendly with Germany in Vigo and being beaten by Toni Kroos for the game's only goal.[38]

Career statistics

Club
As of 26 February 2020[39]
Club Season League Cup Europe/Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Madrid Castilla 2005–06 4000—40
2006–07 1000—10
Total 5000—50
Espanyol B 2007–08 25000—250
Espanyol 2007–08 4000—40
Cádiz (loan) 2008–09 35000—350
2009–10 31000—310
Total 66000—660
Cartagena (loan) 2010–11 35000—350
Espanyol 2011–12 16050—210
2012–13 21020—230
2013–14 37040—410
2014–15 37000—370
Total 1150110—1260
Real Madrid 2015–16 40102[lower-alpha 1]070
2016–17 110602[lower-alpha 2]0190
2017–18 100502[lower-alpha 1]0170
2018–19 00000000
Total 25012060430
Leeds United 2018–19 170002[lower-alpha 3]0190
2019–20 3503[lower-alpha 4]000380
Total 5203020570
Career total 34302601003800
  1. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. One appearance in UEFA Champions League, one in UEFA Super Cup
  3. Appearances in EFL play-offs
  4. One appearance in the FA Cup, two in the EFL League Cup

International
As of 18 November 2014[40]
Spain
YearAppsGoals
201410
Total10

Honours

Real Madrid

Leeds United

References
  1. "Acta del partido celebrado el 13 de enero de 2019, en Sevilla" [Minutes of the match held on 13 January 2019, in Seville] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. 13 January 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  2. "FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017: List of players: Real Madrid CF" (PDF). FIFA. 16 December 2017. p. 5. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  3. "K. Casilla". Real Madrid CF. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  4. Lancho, Christian (2 October 2017). "¡Felicidades, Kiko!" [Happy birthday, Kiko!] (in Spanish). Vavel. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  5. Balderas, Miguel Ángel (26 November 2013). "La última plantilla que descendió con el Castilla. ¿Qué fue de ellos?" [The last squad to be relegated with Castilla. What happened to them?] (in Spanish). Vavel. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  6. Rivera, Almudena (20 January 2008). "Llorente tumba al Espanyol" [Llorente downs Espanyol]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  7. "La ausencia de Kameni y la lesión de Lafuente hacen debutar a Casilla" [Kameni's absence and Lafuente's injury enable Casilla's debut]. Marca (in Spanish). 21 January 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  8. "Arsenal interested in youngster". Tribal Football. 2 January 2008. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
  9. "Kiko Casilla, al Cádiz; Fredson, al Goias" [Casilla, to Cádiz; Fredson, to Goiás]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 26 July 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  10. Carbonell, Alfonso (2 December 2015). "¿Cómo recibirá Carranza a Kiko Casilla?" [How will the Carranza welcome Kiko Casilla?] (in Spanish). La Voz Digital. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  11. "Casilla jugará en el Cartagena una temporada" [Casilla will play with Cartagena one season]. Marca (in Spanish). 1 September 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  12. "Casilla: "La competencia con Cristian Álvarez es bonita"" [Casilla: "The competition with Cristian Álvarez is a beautiful thing"]. Marca (in Spanish). 24 July 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  13. "Iago Aspas' late winner gives Sevilla vengeful win against Espanyol". Fox Sports. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  14. "Official announcement: Kiko Casilla". Real Madrid CF. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  15. "El Real Madrid se aferra al liderato y sigue invicto" [Real Madrid cling on to first place and are still undefeated] (in Spanish). La Liga. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  16. G. Medina, David (4 December 2015). "'Sanción' para Kiko Casilla" [‘Sanction’ for Kiko Casilla]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  17. "Ronaldo-inspired Madrid hold off Shakhtar". UEFA. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  18. "Ronaldo rampant as Madrid put eight past Malmö". UEFA. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  19. "Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again". UEFA. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  20. "Dani Carvajal's late goal in ET helps Real Madrid win UEFA Super Cup". ESPN FC. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  21. Piñero, Alberto (1 April 2017). "Kiko Casilla – Titular por 16ª vez con estadísticas similares a las de Keylor Navas" [Kiko Casilla – Starter for the 16th time with similar statistics to those of Keylor Navas] (in Spanish). Goal. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  22. "El Real Madrid, campeón de LaLiga Santander 2016/17" [Real Madrid, LaLiga Santander champions 2016/17] (in Spanish). La Liga. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  23. "Malaga 0–2 Real Madrid". BBC Sport. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  24. "Real Madrid 2–1 Sporting" (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  25. "Majestic Real Madrid win Champions League in Cardiff". UEFA. 3 June 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  26. "Así llegan Real Madrid y Liverpool a la final de la Champions" [That is how Real Madrid and Liverpool arrive to the Champions final] (in Spanish). RCN Radio. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  27. Castañeda, Ángela (26 August 2018). "Casilla rechazó al Auxerre para quedarse en España" [Casilla rejected Auxerre to stay in Spain] (in Spanish). El Español. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  28. "Madrid beat Liverpool to complete hat-trick". UEFA. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  29. Terroba, Patricia; Clancy, Conor (30 August 2018). "Zidane returns to Castilla while Casilla remains as third choice". Marca. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  30. "Leeds United sign Kiko Casilla". Leeds United F.C. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  31. "Official announcement: Casilla". Real Madrid CF. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  32. Hay, Phil (27 January 2019). "Rotherham United 1 Leeds United 2 – talking points: Mateusz Klich is scoring goals, Kiko Casilla stars as Whites left concerned over Pablo Hernandez". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  33. "Charlton v Leeds: Football Association investigates claim of racial discrimination". BBC Sport. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  34. "Club statement: Kiko Casilla". Leeds United F.C. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  35. "Leeds goalkeeper gets eight-match ban for racism". BBC Sport. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  36. Morro, Sergio (6 February 2008). "España impone su potencial sobre Francia" [Spain impose their potential over France]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  37. "These are the players called up for the matches against France and Macedonia". Royal Spanish Football Federation. 29 August 2014. Archived from the original on 31 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  38. Melero, Delfín (18 November 2014). "Experimento pasado por agua" [Soggy experiment]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  39. "Kiko Casilla". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  40. "Kiko Casilla". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  41. Morales, Roberto (22 May 2017). "El equipo campeón de la Liga, uno a uno" [The League champions, one by one]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  42. Bull, JJ (16 August 2017). "Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 0 (5–1 on aggregate): Woeful Barca dismissed as Zinedine Zidane's unstoppable side win Super Cup". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  43. Jurejko, Jonathan (8 August 2017). "Real Madrid 2–1 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  44. "Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick fires Real Madrid to Club World Cup glory". The Guardian. 16 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  45. "Leeds United are champions!". Leeds United F.C. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
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