Courtois would like Spain return

Thibaut Courtois will consider returning to Spain when his contract at Chelsea expires.

Courtois signed for Chelsea from Genk in 2011 but he was immediately loaned out to Atletico Madrid where he spent three seasons before moving to Stamford Bridge.

During his three years at Atletico, Courtois helped the Spanish side win the La Liga title, the 2013 Copa del Rey and the Europa League in 2012 and he admits he struggled when it was time to leave the club.

“I feel half Spanish. When I said goodbye I had a bad time. I had cold blood, it was not easy. I cried," Courtois is quoted as saying by Marca.

"Atletico is a family club. I still feel their love."

When asked if he would be interested in a return to Atletico, Courtois replied: "Yes, but not only because of the club, 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 eat dinner and then have an afternoon nap, most of the television I see is Spanish… I am half Spanish."

Courtois quickly established himself as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper when he moved to London but the Belgium international has hinted that he could leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the 2017-18 season.

“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," he said.

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