SAD:Following his departure from Elland Road, Casilla’s career took a downward trajectory, and he currently finds himself without a club at the age of 37.

The transfer involving a former Real Madrid player at Leeds United turned out to be highly disappointing, according to observations. Leeds United’s acquisition of Kiko Casilla, a goalkeeper from Real Madrid, in January 2019, proved to be a disastrous move for the club.

Key Points:

– The signing of Kiko Casilla was seen as a significant statement by Leeds United during their pursuit of promotion under the management of Marcelo Bielsa.

– Despite an initially promising start, Casilla’s tenure at Leeds became plagued by on-field struggles and off-field controversies.

– Following his departure from Elland Road, Casilla’s career took a downward trajectory, and he currently finds himself without a club at the age of 37.

During the 2018/19 season, as Leeds United aimed for promotion under Marcelo Bielsa, the club made headlines with the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Kiko Casilla from Real Madrid in the January transfer window. Casilla, a part of Real Madrid’s successful Champions League campaigns, though not the first-choice goalkeeper, had still featured in 43 matches for the club between 2015 and 2019. Leeds’ move to secure a player of his caliber signified their serious intentions under Bielsa’s leadership.

Leeds had relied on young goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the first half of the season, and Bielsa identified the need to bolster the goalkeeping position to enhance their chances of promotion. However, Casilla’s integration into the team didn’t yield the expected results.

Casilla’s tenure at Leeds United:

After joining Leeds midway through the season, Casilla made his debut in a match against Rotherham United, which Leeds won 2-1, providing a decent start. However, Leeds’ form began to decline with Casilla in goal, leading to losses against Norwich and QPR, allowing rival teams to gain ground in the promotion race. His situation worsened when he received a red card in a crucial match against Sheffield United, contributing to Leeds losing their automatic promotion spot. Despite Leeds finishing third in the Championship and reaching the playoff semi-final, they failed to secure promotion to the Premier League in Casilla’s first season.

Off-field controversy marred Casilla’s time at Leeds:

In the 2019/20 season, despite Leeds winning the league, Casilla’s season was overshadowed by controversy. He was found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko of Charlton Athletic during a match in September, resulting in an eight-game ban imposed by the FA. With limited playing time and the arrival of Illan Meslier as the first-choice goalkeeper, Casilla’s role at Leeds diminished.

Casilla’s subsequent career:

Following Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League, Casilla’s playing time reduced significantly. He made just five appearances during the 2020/21 season before departing on loan for the following season and subsequently leaving the club permanently. Despite high expectations, Casilla’s time at Elland Road was deemed a failure for various reasons.

Casilla’s career post-Leeds United:

Since leaving Leeds, Casilla’s career has not seen much improvement. He spent the 2021/22 season on loan at La Liga side Elche before joining Getafe on a one-year deal. However, he only played two matches, both in the Copa del Rey, before being released at the end of the season. As of March 2024, Casilla remains without a club, signaling a potential end to his football career.