Pablo Hernandez is “very happy” that he has been joined at Leeds United by fellow Spaniard Kiko Casilla after the goalkeeper became the club’s latest signing when he arrived from Real Madrid last week.
Casilla, 32, made his first appearance in Leeds’ colours on Monday night when he played in the Under-23s’ 3-2 win against Southampton at Tadcaster and he is soon expected to take the number one spot away from Bailey Peacock-Farrell in Marcelo Bielsa’s first team.
He joins an ever-growing Spanish influence at Elland Road after being snapped up by director of football Victor Orta and star player Hernandez is delighted that the Whites have pulled off a deal for the shot-stopper.
“Very happy about that,” Hernandez told Spanish news outlet AS when asked about Casilla’s arrival. “Also my family. When you are far from your country, you are grateful to share experiences with compatriots.
“I have tried to help him since he arrived, although in the field he does not need help, his value is beyond doubt.”
OPINION
Casilla could end up being Leeds’ one and only signing of the January transfer window, but what a signing he will be. Peacock-Farrell is only 22-years-old but is quite error prone, so it makes sense to replace him in the first team when a player of Casilla’s experience is available from reigning European champions Real Madrid. He hasn’t played a lot for Los Blancos lately, failing to earn a single appearance this season, but that doesn’t mean he is a bad player, it just means that he is not as good as the other shot-stoppers at the Bernabeu. He will be one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship now surely, so no wonder Orta moved to sign him up. Peacock-Farrell will benefit from training alongside Casilla, even if it does mean that he will play less between now and the end of the campaign. However the Northern Ireland international still has a bright future, so it’s important that he is not ignored by Bielsa.