Liverpool have signed Uruguay centre-back Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with the deal including an option to buy next summer
New Liverpool signing Ronald Araujo
New Liverpool signing Ronald Araujo(Image: (Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
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Ronald Araujo believes he has made an 'ideal move' to Liverpool and opened up on the honest conversation he had with Andoni Iraola ahead of the transfer. The Reds confirmed Araujo's season-long loan signing from Barcelona on Monday evening after all parties struck an agreement over the weekend.
Araujo accepted a wage cut to facilitate his move to Anfield. Liverpool will cover all of his wages but will not pay a loan fee and will have an option, rather than an obligation, to buy him for £47million next summer.
And speaking for the first time as a Liverpool player, he admitted: “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.”
He also said: “It happened really, really quickly, to be honest with you. It’s a huge thanks to Liverpool for making that process so quick and for getting in touch and for their interest.
“I had a conversation with the sporting director and also the coach. I had no doubts for a second about coming here.
Ronald Araujo trains at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre
Ronald Araujo trains at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre(Image: (Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
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“It’s a great club, a great institution and it’s a great opportunity for me to enjoy my football here. I can’t wait to get out on the field and start enjoying myself. As I say, that motivation is really there.”
Araujo also revealed that he had a 'frank and honest conversation' with Iraola that left him in no doubt that a move to Anfield was the right one.
“The first thing that struck me is that it was a very sincere, frank and honest conversation,” the defender replied when asked how his first conversation with Iraola went.
“It was great. I was very happy to have that chat with him and it made it even more plain that I should be coming here. He knows me well, he knows what I’m capable of doing, so I think he knows what I can provide both on the field and off it.
Ronald Araujo signs his Liverpool contract
Ronald Araujo signs his Liverpool contract(Image: (Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
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“I loved our time together that we had [in] the chat, it was great and left me with no doubt, as I said.
“I spoke also to the director of football. Again, I just can’t wait to get started and I’m happy to have made this decision, there was no doubt at all.”
Araujo comes into a Liverpool side that have endured a difficult pre-season, with injuries at the back already taking their toll.
The Reds finished Sunday’s friendly defeat to Monaco with youngster Luke Chambers and midfielder Wataru Endo as the centre-back pairing.
Wataru Endo during Liverpool's defeat to AS Monaco at Anfield
Wataru Endo during Liverpool's defeat to AS Monaco at Anfield (Image: (Jan Kruger/Getty Images))
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But Araujo is in good physical condition having taken part in Barca’s pre-season programme and believes he will be ready to go for the start of the new Premier League season.
He said: “Off the back of the World Cup, I had two weeks’ break but since then I’ve been in pre-season training with Barcelona and, to be fair, that’s been a decent pace and rhythm.
“I’m feeling good at the moment, I’m feeling in shape. Obviously, we’ve still got almost a couple of weeks now before the league season starts here at Liverpool.
“That’s what we’re working for. I think I’ll be ready, I think I’ll be in good physical shape to be ready to make a start."
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Andoni Iraola leads Liverpool in his debut campaign at Anfield
Andoni Iraola leads Liverpool in his debut campaign at Anfield((Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images))