Liverpool have completed the signing of Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona for the 2026/27 season. The Uruguay international joins the Reds after making 213 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 14 goals and winning three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies and three Spanish Super Cups.
Araujo, who can play at centre-back and right-back, will bolster Andoni Iraola’s defensive options ahead of the new season.
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The 27-year-old joined Barcelona in 2018 and made his senior debut a year later before establishing himself in the first team during the 2020/21 campaign. He has also earned 27 caps for Uruguay.
Araujo will wear the No.33 shirt at Liverpool. Jordon Ibe was the last Reds player to wear the number, while Jonjo Shelvey, Sebastian Leto and Neil Mellor have also previously used it.
“I can’t wait to get started. I’m very, very happy,” Araujo told Liverpoolfc.com. “I’m excited to be here at this massive club with lots of history.
“I’m excited to meet my teammates, excited to get started playing, and I’m very motivated and really up for getting going.
“I think it was the ideal move for me at this stage in my career. I think it was a move that was necessary for me to take.
“As soon as I heard that interest from Liverpool, everything went into action really, really quickly. As I say, I’m super-happy to be here and excited to get started. I’m glad about the interest and it was the right move at the right time.”
Ronald Araujo has revealed the inspiration provided by fellow Uruguayans Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez ahead of his move to Liverpool.
He will become the fourth Uruguayan to represent the Reds, following Suarez, Sebastian Coates and Nunez. Asked about any memories of watching compatriot Suarez during his unforgettable spell at Anfield from 2011 to 2014, Araujo added: “Of course I did.
“We loved watching the English Premier League and everyone in Uruguay gets up early in the morning to catch the games.
“Of course as a kid I used to watch Luis playing all those fantastic games for Liverpool. We all know what he achieved, the history that he made within this club during his time here. So it’s fantastic.
“From minute one, I’ve been sort of asked about that kind of comparison since I’ve arrived here. I get on really well with him, we’re quite close.
“Just a few minutes ago I got a good luck message from him saying all the best, you’ve joined a great club and all the very best for your time here.”
Close friend Nunez has also sent Araujo his best wishes on social media and privately offered insight into what he can expect from Liverpool supporters.
“A big thank you for the message from Darwin,” the centre-back added. “He’s a good mate of mine. We’ve known each other and played together since we were kids, basically.
“He’s always spoken highly of Liverpool, for sure. When you’re out with Darwin, people are always shouting his name and things like that. He’s told me about how the fans would recognise him and say, ‘Nunez, Nunez!’”
Watch Ronald Araujo’s first interview after signing on loan for the Reds over on All Red Video 📺
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 10, 2026