5 Premier League players who had a career-defining loan move

#3 Thibaut Courtois

Courtois spent three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid

The current Real Madrid No.1, Thibaut Courtois, is a Genk academy product and made his professional debut for the club as a 16-year-old.

He was fairly successful in Belgium, but the opportunity to establish himself as one of the best came knocking when Chelsea signed the teenager for £9 million in 2011.

But, with Petr Cech still in his prime, his game time was limited at the Stamford Bridge and in what would turn out to be one of the best loan deals ever, he joined Atletico Madrid soon after his transfer to Chelsea.

At Madrid, he had the daunting task to replace David De Gea, who had left for Manchester United that season and the Belgian didn't disappoint. In short span of time, he established himself as one of the best keepers in La Liga, winning the Europa League, Copa del Rey and LaLiga with the club in his three seasons.

He also claimed the Zamora trophy two years in a row. After such an illustrating loan spell, he claimed the Chelsea No.1 spot from Cech, won the Premier League Golden Glove and recently won the World Cup Golden Glove with Belgium.

Right now he is back in LaLiga, but with the bitter rivals of Atletico, Real Madrid.