Trent Alexander-Arnold has completed a move from Liverpool to Real Madrid and has addressed fans of his new club in perfect Spanish while explaining the move at his unveiling
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12:50, 12 Jun 2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold at his Real Madrid unveiling
Trent Alexander-Arnold at his Real Madrid unveiling(Image: Sky Sports)
England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was praised for his "perfect Spanish" as he described his Real Madrid move as a dream come true. The former Liverpool star agreed a deal with Los Blancos in time for the Club World Cup, with Madrid paying Liverpool a tidy sum to release him before the expiry of his contract on June 30.
Alexander-Arnold will take the number 12 shirt previously worn by fellow full-back Marcelo during the Brazilian's time at the Bernabeu. He will join international team-mate Jude Bellingham in the Spanish capital, but his behaviour at his unveiling has already differed from that of the former Borussia Dortmund man.
Bellingham and former Madrid midfielder David Beckham both spoke mostly in English at their respective unveilings, with a brief Spanish interjection at the end. Alexander-Arnold, though, wasn't afraid to speak in the language of his new home.
"Thank you so much for this opportunity," Alexander-Arnold said in 'perfect Spanish', per Mundo Deportivo. "Signing for this club is a dream come true. I'm happy and proud.
"I'm looking forward to showing my game to the Real Madrid fans; I know it's a huge responsibility. I want to play with the best in the world, give it my all, and win every title possible. Hala Madrid!"
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Alexander-Arnold has long been linked with a move to Spain, where he will link up with his good friend Bellingham. While he didn't announce his Liverpool exit until May, he might well have been praciticing his Spanish a little longer than that.
The full-back will link up with another former Liverpool favourite, new Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, after completing his move. The squad number change is in part due to La Liga's restrictions forcing players to choose numbers between 1 and 25, ruling out the number 66 which he wore throughout his time in the Premier League.
Trent Alexander-Arnold at his Real Madrid unveiling
Alexander-Arnold is available to play for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup
"You know the sacrifices your family has made during your career," Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said at the unveiling at Real Madrid's Ciudad Deportiva. "Dear Trent, you're now a Real Madrid player, the club that has won 15 European Cups. Your talent and your capacity for sacrifice convince you to achieve great things here.
"At the Bernabéu, its magic and mystique will captivate you. Your teammates are a family of Real Madrid fans, and you'll soon understand what this club means. The next challenge is the Club World Cup.
"One of the best players in the world is arriving. Thank you for choosing Madrid as your new home."
Alexander-Arnold could make his Real Madrid debut as soon as June 18. That's when Alonso's side are set to begin their group stage campaign against Al Hilal, with matches against Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg to follow.
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