5 players that you may not know played in the Real Madrid Academy

Kiko Casilla (2000-2004 in Real Madrid Academy)

Kiko Casilla

In 2015, after impressing for Espanyol, Kiko Casilla moved to Real Madrid for €6 million. That, however, wasn't his first time in the Royal club, as Casilla had graduated their Academy 11 years ago.

Kiko joined the Real Madrid system in 2000. Four years later he was promoted to C team but after two more seasons, Casilla joined the B side. The Spanish goalkeeper was rarely playing in both teams so it wasn't surprising when he left Real for free in 2007, joining the Catalan club Espanyol.

Casilla didn't experience a meteoric rise to stardom as in the first four seasons he had to play with the B team and on loan to the third and second division in Spain. But when Casilla got his chance with the first team, he didn't disappoint.

From 2013 to 2015 the Spaniard missed only four league games for Espanyol and even earned a call-up to the Spain national team. Casilla made his first and until now his only international appearance against Germany.

After losing Iker Casillas, Real Madrid bought Casilla back to be their second choice goalkeeper. This season his role has become even smaller as the World Cup's best goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois joined and the previous first choice Keylor Navas is still at the club.