Goalkeeper Navas swells Madrid ranks

Real Madrid CF have announced the signing of Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas from Levante UD, the 27-year-old signing a six-year deal following an outstanding FIFA World Cup.

The custodian, who swells a Madrid goalkeeping roster which already includes Iker Casillas and Diego López, joins the UEFA Champions League winners for an undisclosed fee having spent the last three seasons with the Valencia club. The player will be presented to press and fans at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday.

The keeper began his career in his home country with Deportivo Saprissa before moving to Spain with Albacete Balompié. After relegation to Segunda División B in his first season he moved to Levante UD, initially as a reserve to Gustavo Munúa, but seized his chance in the 2013/14 season, impressing with a number of excellent displays as the side finished tenth.

He carried that domestic form into the World Cup, helping Costa Rica to a quarter-final place only to suffer defeat to the Netherlands on penalties.