Lopez: I´m not Casillas´ replacement

Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez insists he has not been bought to replace Iker Casillas.

The 31-year-old, who originally departed the Santiago Bernabeu in 2007, returned to the capital for 3.5 million euros from Sevilla last Friday, with many tipping him to dislodge the club captain from the starting XI.

“It is a pleasure to return to my club. Everything is like it was when I left, the facilities and employees,” he told reporters.

“I don’t plan on taking Casillas’ place but on a day-to-day basis, we have a game on Wednesday and need to focus on that. Now we are two goalkeepers and we have to solve the situation.

“When the coach makes a change we must respect him. Iker has earned everything he has achieved, but football is a day to day business.”

Lopez then commented on Victor Valdes’ decision not to extend his current deal at Barcelona and believes the keeper has acted in the best interests of the club.

“It’s a personal decision. (His timing) gives the club the opportunity to rearrange, but he is a great professional and will work until the end of his contract,” he said.