Courtois ‘proud to join Real’

NEW Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said yesterday he had fulfilled a childhood dream in moving to the Spanish giant from Chelsea despite spending three years on loan at rival Atletico, and revealed he had turned down bigger offers from other clubs.

“Everyone who knows me knows how hard I’ve worked to get here, and I’m proud to be at the best club in the world. I’ve given my best throughout my career to get here, this was my childhood dream, to step on to this pitch in Madrid’s colors,” the Belgium international told a news conference yesterday.

“I received better paid offers but I wanted to be in the best club in the world and be close to my children. Once Madrid’s interest was clear I had no doubts that I wanted to be here.”

Courtois, 26, signed for Real from Chelsea on Wednesday for a reported 35 million euros (US$40.55 million) after winning two English Premier League titles as well as the FA Cup and League Cup in England.

Before then, he spent three seasons on loan at Atletico, lifting an unlikely La Liga title in 2014 as well as winning the Copa del Rey by beating Real in the final at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I have the maximum respect for Atletico, they took me on loan when I was young and I won many things, but it was different because I was on loan,” he said.

“Now I’ve come to the club where I really wanted to be and I want to fight for many years to win trophies.”