Former Barcelona man Victor Valdes has been named the best goalkeeper in the history of La Liga, according to a study by the Spanish Center of Football History and Statistics (CIHEFE).

The study, undertaken by Vidal Vinaras de Blas, analyzed the careers of 790 keepers who have played in the Spanish first division since the beginning of the 1928 league championship. It took into account the overall number of goals conceded, titles won, consecutive clean sheets, ‘Zamora’ trophies (keeper with the lowest goals-to-games ratio each season) and total appearances.

Valdes, who has been training with Manchester United while rehabilitating from anterior cruciate ligament injury, was named La Liga’s all-time greatest goalkeeper ahead of the likes of Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid), Francisco Liano (Racing, Deportivo and Sporting), Roberto Rodriguez a.k.a. ‘Rodri’ (Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo) and Garcia Remon (Real Madrid).

Something that will come as a surprise to most fans is Iker Casillas came in 20th place on the list of Spain’s all-time great shot stoppers.

Other notable names on the list were: Santiago Canizares (Valencia), Luis Maria Arconada (Real Sociedad), Andoni Zubizarreta (Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona, Valencia), Abel Resino, (Atletico Madrid), Angel Gonzalez (Real Madrid) and Jose Angel Iribar (Athletic Bilbao).

Valdes was top, conceding 0.832 goals a game on average, collecting 20 titles, going 7 games without conceding a goal, winning five Zamora trophies and playing a total of 387 games.

The 32-year-old is training with Manchester United’s first-team while he rehabilitates from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Speculation in England is Valdes may sign a deal with the twenty-time champions of England, but United officials have downplayed the chances of a contract being extended to the former Spain international.

Valdes has been linked with moves to Monaco, Juventus and the Mexican side Queretaro in the past few days.