Ronald Araujo
Instagram/@ronaldaraujo_4
Liverpool completed the signing of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona on Monday, bringing the Uruguay international to Anfield on a season-long loan that includes an option to make the move permanent.
The 27-year-old centre-back, who can also operate at right-back, joins Andoni Iraola’s squad at a moment when Liverpool’s defensive options have been significantly reduced by injury and summer departures.
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Ibrahima Konate left for Real Madrid this summer. Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet are all currently sidelined, while Conor Bradley remains unavailable. Virgil van Dijk, 35, has just returned from the World Cup.
Araujo addresses the lack od depth.
Speaking to the club’s official website after completing his move, Araujo was clear about why he chose Liverpool.
“I’m excited to be here at this massive club with lots of history. 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, 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.”
Araujo joined Barcelona from Uruguayan side Boston River in 2018 and made 213 appearances for the Catalan club, scoring 14 goals. He won three La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey trophies, and was named one of the club’s captains last season.
Despite that standing, Araujo found himself increasingly marginalised under Hansi Flick.
Gerard Martin established a central defensive partnership with Pau Cubarsi last season, while Jules Kounde held the right-back position where Araujo can also play.
On Tuesday, Araujo posted his farewell to Barcelona supporters on Instagram, writing: “It’s time to face a new challenge. After 8 years, I take with me a lot of beautiful memories, learnings and most of all, many people who were part of this path. Forever grateful, culers!”
The post drew immediate responses from his former teammates.
Ferran Torres, Marc Bernal and Eric Garcia were among those who liked it.
Liverpool are paying no loan fee and will cover Araujo’s salary in full, with the Uruguayan understood to have agreed a pay cut to facilitate the move. The purchase option stands at €55m (£47.14m) and can be triggered at any point during the loan period.
Araujo will wear the number 33 shirt at Liverpool, the same number he wore in his debut season at Barcelona in 2019/20, and a number that has not been used at Anfield since Jordon Ibe in 2016.