Trent Alexander-Arnold completed his move to Real Madrid at the beginning of June following his controversial Liverpool exit
Real Madrid have confirmed plans to officially unveil Trent Alexander-Arnold after leaving Liverpool.
(Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will officially be presented as a Real Madrid player on Thursday (June 12). The Reds academy graduate turned down an extension at the Premier League champions in search for a new opportunity with the La Liga giants.
Arne Slot's side granted permission for the England international to leave the club before his deal officially expired at Anfield, in order for him to join another former Red in Xabi Alonso ahead of the Club World Cup. Liverpool banked £10million to release the 26-year-old to allow him to join Los Blancos ahead of the competition, which kicks off in the United States on June 14 with the Spaniards' campaign getting underway against Al Hilal on June 18.
Alexander-Arnold was left in the cold for the recent Three Lions meetings, which saw them face Andorra and Senegal, as Curtis Jones was preferred from the start for the encounter to the right-back - eventually being introduced for the final 25 minutes.
READ MORE: Paddy Pimblett reveals dream Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk Liverpool scenarioREAD MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE - Florian Wirtz latest, Milos Kerkez talks, Hugo Ekitike twist
He didn't feature at all in the 3-1 defeat against Senegal at the City Ground. Alexander-Arnold's focus quickly turns to his new surroundings in the Spanish capital and he will be speaking as a Real Madrid player for the first time since his controversial move on Thursday.
In a statement, the club said: "Real Madrid CF announces that tomorrow, Thursday, at 12:30 p.m (11am GMT)., the presentation of our player Trent Alexander-Arnold will take place at Real Madrid City.
"Previously, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez will welcome Trent Alexander-Arnold for the formal signing ceremony that links our new player to the club for the next six seasons.
"Following the presentation, Trent Alexander-Arnold will address the media in the press room at Real Madrid City."
In light of their Premier League title triumph after the emphatic 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, the Liverpool full-back announced that he would not be extending his stay at Anfield.
The revelation came following the 3-1 defeat at Chelsea, which led to the jeers by a section of the Liverpool supporters during the penultimate home game against Arsenal.
The actions split the footballing world's opinion, with Jurgen Klopp criticising the boos for the 26-year-old, however he received send off during Liverpool's crowning moment against Crystal Palace in an emotional afternoon for the full-back.
"I’ve been a fan of this club my whole life, it has given me the opportunity to go and do everything I’ve done, to achieve everything," he said in an interview with the official club website.
"So, I understand that. Growing up, seeing players leave that I’ve loved watching and have helped the team win trophies, you feel a connection to the players that you watch, especially when they bring success to the club as well.
"So, I completely understand the feelings that go with that and I’ve felt it myself so I completely understand that the news will disappoint a lot of people, will anger people, it will make them upset.
"Obviously that went into the decision as well - it’s something you don’t want to do, you don’t want to ever have these moments where you feel like you’re letting a lot of people down, you’re disappointing a lot of people.
"But I’ve had to make a decision for me, it’s as simple as that. It’s a difficult one, it’s one that has played on my mind for a long time but being able now to get it off my chest will feel like a weight is lifted. And I think it’s important for the fans to know where I stand and know what the truth is."
He added: "Obviously there’s been a lot of noise around what the decision was going to be and how that was going to look. I know a lot of people will say I should have said sooner, a lot of people will say maybe I waited for the right time.
"But I felt personally the focus should always be on the pitch, should always be about the football. When we were in a title race and trying to push for trophies, it’s about making the right decision for the team and trying not to distract the team and take away from what we’re doing on the pitch.
"For me, it was always to do it after the season was kind of done; not so much the final game but when there was nothing else really to play for.
"Now that we’ve won the league and we’ve been able to celebrate it and celebrate such an amazing achievement, I felt like now is the right time to get it off my chest and tell the fans the truth, and now is that time."