Real Madrid’s start to the La Liga season has been hit with a huge blow after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tore his anterior cruciate ligament in training that will require surgery, forcing Real Madrid into a frantic search for a replacement.

The statement from Real Madrid on Thursday revealed that the player would need to undergo surgery, meaning that Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin will be in goal as the Los Blancos face Athletic Club in their season opener.

“After the tests carried out on our player Thibaut Courtois, he has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The player will undergo surgery in the coming days.” The statement read.

The Los Blancos have started an emergency search for a goalkeeper replacement by approaching former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea who was released this summer. De Gea is without a club at the moment and has been approached by several Saudi Arabia cubs, but a return to La Liga is likely, this time with rivals of his former club could be enticing.

The fact that Andriy Lunin has only played 17 times for Real Madrid since joining the club makes the search more frantic, and Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is also on the radar.

The La Liga will start on Friday with Almeria welcoming Rayo Vallecano; Sevilla will play Valencia on Saturday. Real Sociedad will host Girona, Las Palmas’ return to La Liga would see them face Mallorca on the opening day, with Real Madrid traveling to Athletic Club late on Saturday.

Sunday’s fixtures will see Barca traveling to Getafe, Celta playing Osasuna, and Villarreal hosting Real Betis.

La Liga Round 1 Fixtures.

Friday 11 August

Almeria v Rayo Vallecano

Sevilla v Valencia

Saturday 12th August

Sociedad v Girona

Las Palmas v Mallorca

Ath Bilbao v Real Madrid

Sunday 13th August

Celta Vigo v Osasuna

Villarreal v Real Betis

Getafe v Barcelona

Monday 14th August

Cadiz v Alaves

Atletico Madrid v Granada

Daniel Ademiju Idowu