No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsSportsCosta Rican Keylor Navas signs with legendary club Real Madrid

Costa Rican Keylor Navas signs with legendary club Real Madrid

Star goalie Keylor Navas will be the first Costa Rican to play for storied club Real Madrid. The Spanish club announced a six-year deal Sunday, after paying a €10 million ($13.5 million) buyout clause to Navas’ prior team Levante. Real Madrid will hold an official press conference for Navas on Tuesday.

The World Cup hero is not guaranteed the starting role with Real Madrid — a club that has won 32 titles in its 112-year history. Navas will compete with Spain national team keeper Iker Casillas for the first-string spot. But Casillas, a former Golden Glove winner, is coming off a disastrous World Cup performance and his best days might be behind him. Casillas had another poor showing Saturday in a 3-1 friendly loss to Manchester United.

Navas, 27, led Costa Rica to the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time thanks to his head-turning performances in goal with the Ticos. He saved 21 of 23 (91 percent) shots on target in Brazil, and Costa Rica reached the quarterfinals after he stymied Greece in penalty kicks.

The Tico completed a record-breaking year with Levante last season, leading many to believe he would be a transfer target for a top European club. After his World Cup display, Navas has earned the chance to compete for one of the top clubs in the world.

Trending Now

Air Canada Strike Extends Flight Cancellations to Costa Rica

Air Canada has backtracked on plans to restart flights after its flight attendants chose to continue striking, leaving travelers — including those heading to...

End of Air Canada Strike Brings Relief for Costa Rica-Bound Passengers

Air Canada flight attendants ended their strike Tuesday after reaching a tentative agreement with the airline, paving the way for flights to resume gradually....

Costa Rica Anglers Catch Rare Orange and Albino Nurse Shark

Anglers on a fishing trip off Costa Rica's Caribbean coast caught a nurse shark unlike any seen before: bright orange skin and stark white...

Costa Rica President Confronts Calls to Strip Immunity

Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves denounced today an “attempted judicial coup” as he appeared before a congressional committee that must recommend to the full...

Costa Rica Marks National Parks Day with Free Entry This Sunday

As everyone knows by now, our country stands out for its strong focus on protecting the environment. It leads in conservation efforts, manages its...

US Cracks Down on Costa Rica’s Narco Network with New Sanctions

The US Treasury Department moved against a Costa Rican drug trafficking ring today sanctioning four individuals and two entities tied to cocaine smuggling and...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica