Courtois has firmly established himself as Chelsea’s No.1 goalkeeper since his return from a loan-spell at Atletico Madrid (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has again aired his desire to return to Spain and hinted he could do so as early as 2018.

The 24-year-old spent three highly successful years on loan at Atletico Madrid from Chelsea before returning to the west London club, where he quickly established himself as the club’s undisputed No.1.

Despite having successfully ousted Petr Cech, who moved to Arsenal in the summer of 2015, Courtois has regularly spoken of his desire to return to Spain and has previously sent out a number of conflicting messages about his Chelsea future.

Courtois won the Copa del Rey and reached the 2014 Champions League final during his time with Atletico Madrid (Picture: Getty)

Speaking to Marca, the Belgium international revealed he would assess his options when his current contract expires in 2018, and the fact he considers himself half Spanish could ultimately influence his next move.




‘When I said goodbye [to Atletico] I had a bad time. I had cold blood, it was not easy. I cried,’ he admitted.

‘Atletico is a family club. I still feel their love.’

Asked if he would one day return to Spain, Courtois added: ‘Yes, but not only because of the club (Atletico), but how Madrid is and the whole country.

‘From the first minute I fell in love with Spain for its people, lifestyle, food… I still maintain eating dinner and then an afternoon nap, most of the television I see is Spanish… I am half Spanish.

‘I have a contract at Chelsea for three seasons. In 2018, when I enter the final year of the contract, we will assess whether to renew or leave.’