On the move: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold was expected to move to the Spanish giants following the expiry of his Reds contract at the end of June, but Madrid have paid an eight-figure fee to expedite the transfer ahead of the Club World Cup.
Xabi Alonso, Madrid’s new head coach, wanted the player in his squad for their first match of the newly expanded tournament against Al Hilal in Miami on June 18. Alexander-Arnold will officially become a Madrid player on the first summer transfer window opens on June 1.
Alexander-Arnold’s move brings to an end a 20-year association with Liverpool. The England international confirmed his impending exit earlier in May, issuing a statement which read: “After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season.
“This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.”
Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of six and has gone on to make more than 350 appearances for the club. He leaves the Reds with a complete set of trophies to his name, having won two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2019, to go with an FA Cup, a League Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.