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‘I hope to return one day!’: Casemiro shares emotional farewell message to Real Madrid fans on social media ahead of £70m move to Manchester United… as new (and old) team-mate Raphael Varane hails the arrival of a ‘warrior’
- Casemiro is preparing to complete a £70m move to Manchester United
- The Brazilian is set to be reunited with former Real team-mate Raphael Varane
- He won 18 trophies with Los Blancos since joining them in January 2013
- The signing will end the Red Devils’ long-running search for a central midfielder
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Casemiro has shared an emotional farewell message to Real Madrid fans as he prepares to make his big-money move to Manchester United.
The Red Devils confirmed on Friday that they have an agreement in place to bring the 30-year-old midfielder to Old Trafford once a number of details have been finalised.
Having become one of football’s most decorated talents during his time in Spain, the Brazilian has taken to social media to say a heartfelt goodbye to Madrid’s fans.
Brazilian star Casemiro said farewell to Real Madrid fans in an emotional post on social media
In a post on Twitter, Casemiro wrote: ‘I have lived the most wonderful story that I ever thought. I hope to return one day to what will always be my home.
‘Not in a thousand lifetimes will I be able to give back to @RealMadrid all that you have given me. Forever… Hala Madrid!’
The midfielder will bring to an end nine-and-a-half seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu having joined on loan from Sao Paulo in 2013 before being assigned to Madrid’s B-team in the Segunda División.
Since then he’s won five Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, three LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups during his 336 appearances for the club.
The 30-year-old won 18 trophies at his time in Madrid – including five Champions Leagues
The Brazilian star arrives after a trophy laden career at Madrid – graphic from SofaScore
Casemiro’s former, and future, team-mate Raphael Varane also took to social media to welcome in the ‘warrior’ midfielder.
Varane wrote: ‘Many battles fought together with my warrior Case ! Welcome to Manchester, amigo @casemiro’, accompanied with a sword emoji.
The two players spent seven years together at Madrid, before the French defender completed a move to Old Trafford in July 2021.
As well as Varane, Casemiro will also find a familiar face at United in Cristiano Ronaldo – should the No. 7 choose to stay at the club. He also regularly lines up for Brazil alongside United midfielder Fred.
Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo (L to R) will be re-united at United this year
Casemiro’s signing brings an end to Erik ten Hag’s search for a central midfielder all summer, having been repeatedly rebuffed by several targets.
They first chased Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but off-the-field issues got in the way and they were eventually forced to give up their pursuit.
Personal terms then prevented Juventus star Adrien Rabiot moving to Old Trafford, but the Red Devils have finally completed a deal, with Casemiro set to join the club officially next week.
United’s £70m deal for the midfielder is subject to visa requirements, a medical and the agreement of personal terms, but the 30-year-old is keen to move to Old Trafford, as confirmed by Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.