Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold (26, Liverpool) is leaving Liverpool, with which he has spent nearly 20 years.
Liverpool announced on the 6th (Korea time) through the club's website that "Alexander-Arnold has officially notified the team that he will leave after his contract expires on June 30 this year."
Alexander-Arnold joined the Liverpool youth team in 2004. After going through the development process, he debuted in the first team in 2016 and has played 352 official matches, scoring 23 goals and providing 86 assists.
At Liverpool, he lifted a total of eight trophies, including one UEFA Champions League title and two Premier League titles. His victory in the Champions League in the 2018-2019 season was crucial in helping Liverpool return to the top of the English Premier League after a period of stagnation.
Liverpool received a transfer proposal for Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid last January, which they rejected. Ultimately, failing to renegotiate the contract, they will let him go for free.
Alexander-Arnold delivered a farewell message via his social media account. He said, "It's time to say that I'm leaving Liverpool now. I've achieved everything for 20 years and poured all my passion into it every day. I feel that I need a new challenge for myself, and I've determined that now is the time. This was the hardest decision I've made in my life."
His next destination is likely to be Real Madrid. According to local reports in Spain, Alexander-Arnold has verbally agreed to a five-year contract with Real Madrid. It is reported that his salary is £7.5 million (approximately 14 billion won) after tax.
This will be the first time he wears a uniform other than Liverpool's. However, he is expected to adjust without much difficulty as his England national team teammate and close friend Jude Bellingham plays for Real Madrid.
Full statement by Alexander-Arnold posted on social media
After spending 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, I have now had the opportunity to share that I will leave the team at the end of the season.
It was the hardest decision of my life.
Many of you may have wondered why I haven't said anything until now, but my biggest goal was to focus on the team's benefit, namely winning the 20th title, which is why I kept silent.
Liverpool has been my entire life for the past 20 years, and it has been my world. I will never forget the love and support I have received inside and outside the club from my youth academy days to now. I am forever grateful and indebted to everyone.
However, until now, I have not known another world. This decision was about experiencing new challenges, stepping out of my comfort zone, and pushing myself harder. It was a choice to grow both professionally and personally.
Every day I was at Liverpool, I gave my best. I hope you felt that I was able to give something back to you while I was here.
I sincerely thank my coaches, managers, teammates, staff, and the amazing fans for everything over the past 20 years.
I achieved my dreams here and never took the special moments we shared for granted. My love for this club will never fade.
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