Thibaut Courtois: “Arriving at the best club in the world is not an easy thing”

The Belgium international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabeu. Courtois has arrived at the Bernabeu’s press room and is being presented by Florentino Perez. "Arriving at the best club in the world is not an easy thing. I have worked very hard to get here. I have always dreamed of this moment since I was a kid,” said Courtois. "I wanted to be closer to my family. I want to say thank you to everybody who has made this possible, particularly the mother of my children. Although we are no longer together you remain a very special person for me. Today I am just another Madridista. I am one of you. Hala Madrid!" Courtois asked how he feels as a Madrid player. "I feel great to be here at the best club in the world and I'm looking forward to getting started to start the season in the best shape possible." And here comes the Keylor question: "Keepers are a group apart, we always get along well and we spend so much time together. I had to compete with Petr Cech at Chelsea and we'll all work together to win trophies here." What are Courtois' objectives? "To carry on winning trophies, after three consecutive Champions Leagues." Not sure what they expect when they ask those one really. A message for Chelsea fans? "It was an important part of my career. I always wanted to win the Premier League and I want to thank them for their support. I wish them all the best this season." Is Courtois surprised by Real's quite summer in the market? Diplomatic hat on: "No, I think the club has worked to strenghten the areas they needed to and there is a great squad here." How does he expect to be greeted by Atlético fans? A smile: "The same as anyone who plays for Madrid. I have a lot of respect for Atleti. They took a chance on me and gave me an opportunity and I thank them for that. But now I am at a club I have always wanted to play for. I don't expect any special treatment." What can Courtois offer that Navas cannot? "It's difficult to say. He's a great keeper with excellent reflexes but it's not for me to say what his strong points are. Nobody is guaranteed a starting spot and I have come here to work hard and it's up to the coach to decide the rest." A message for Chelsea fans? "It was an important part of my career. I always wanted to win the Premier League and I want to thank them for their support. I wish them all the best this season." Is Courtois surprised by Real's quite summer in the market? Diplomatic hat on: "No, I think the club has worked to strenghten the areas they needed to and there is a great squad here." How does he expect to be greeted by Atlético fans? A smile: "The same as anyone who plays for Madrid. I have a lot of respect for Atleti. They took a chance on me and gave me an opportunity and I thank them for that. But now I am at a club I have always wanted to play for. I don't expect any special treatment. What can Courtois offer that Navas cannot? "It's difficult to say. He's a great keeper with excellent reflexes but it's not for me to say what his strong points are. Nobody is guaranteed a starting spot and I have come here to work hard and it's up to the coach to decide the rest." Courtois asked about his rather raucous celebration of Atlético's league triumph now: "I was young, it was the sort of thing young players do. But I'm at Madrid now. Last question: "What have you learned and how I have you changed in four years in England?" " "I think I'm a lot more mature and I've gained quite a lot of muscle in the Premier League. I am more experienced and I have become a better keeper. Everybody can always improve in whatever they do and I think my best is still ahead of me."  

Thibaut Courtois steps out onto the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time