Real Madrid has confirmed the length of Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract after paying Liverpool a fee so the defender can play at the Club World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold announced earlier this month that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract amid strong interest from Real. The 26-year-old bid an emotional farewell despite mixed reactions from Reds fans, breaking into tears on the season's final game against Crystal Palace and Liverpool's Premier League trophy parade in the city.
The England international will now embark on a new adventure in Spain with Real, alongside Three Lions teammate Jude Bellingham, after agreeing on a six-year contract with the La Liga giants, with Liverpool picking up a $11.4 million fee. "Real Madrid CF and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement that will keep Trent Alexander-Arnold at our club for the next six seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2031," Real confirmed in a statement.
"The 26-year-old English international joins our team after winning nine titles with Liverpool: 1 Champions League, 1 Club World Cup, 1 European Super Cup, 2 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups, and 1 FA Super Cup.
"Alexander-Arnold, who has spent his entire football career at Liverpool, has been a full England international since 2018, with whom he has played in two World Cups (2018 and 2022) and one European Championship (2024).
"On an individual level, he has been named in the FIFA FIFPro World 11 once (2020), in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season twice (2018/19 and 2021/22), and in the Premier League All-Star Team three times (2018/19, 2019/20, and 2021/22).
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Trent Alexander-Arnold has joined Real Madrid (Image: Getty Images/Getty Images For Th)
"He was also named the Premier League's Young Player of the Year in 2019/20. Alexander-Arnold will play with Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States starting June 14."
Alexander-Arnold thanked his boyhood club, Liverpool, as well as its loyal fans for their support during his time on Merseyside. "I think first and foremost, I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it," he said after revealing he would be leaving.
"I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here. Giving everything day in, day out for 20 years, I’ve got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that.”
Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold will part ways after a successful spell together at Anfield
Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold will part ways after a successful spell together at Anfield (Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
“There’s a lot I would like to say. The main thing is a massive thank you. You guys have been there from the start with me, you guys have supported me, been there," he added.
“I’ve felt the support, the love, everything that you guys have done has never been unnoticed by me, I’ve loved every single minute of it. I hope they have felt that has been reciprocated and that I’ve given everything I could to the club.
“I’m just hoping that we’re able to carry on winning games, the noise [around my decision] doesn’t take away from the fact of what we’ve achieved this season.
“It has been an amazing season. It has been amazing to be part of it and I just hope that everyone is able to maybe not dwell on this news for too long and be able to celebrate what the rest of the lads have done.”