Trent Alexander-Arnold (27) officially signed with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid announced on the 12th (Korean time) through the club's website, "Alexander-Arnold has signed a contract with Real Madrid. The England native will be with Real Madrid for the next six seasons."
It continued, "Trent Alexander-Arnold is now a Real Madrid player. President Florentino Pérez welcomed him. He signed a contract that will see him play for Real Madrid for the next six seasons."
Now, Alexander-Arnold will wear the No. 12 jersey for Real Madrid. He was presented with a model of the stadium, a watch, and a uniform engraved with his name and number 12 in front of numerous UEFA Champions League (UCL) trophies by President Pérez.
Alexander-Arnold also successfully passed the medical tests. Real Madrid shared a photo of him smiling during the examination and explained, "He completed the medical tests at Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital."
Finally joining Real Madrid officially, Alexander-Arnold's transfer had already been confirmed. Real Madrid announced on the 30th of last month, "Real Madrid and Liverpool have signed a contract to acquire Alexander-Arnold for six seasons from June 1, 2015, to June 30, 2031."
At that time, Real Madrid stated, "The 26-year-old England international Alexander-Arnold joined us after lifting a total of nine trophies, including one UEFA Champions League (UCL), one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, and one Community Shield during his time at Liverpool."
It also noted, "Alexander-Arnold, who spent his entire player career at Liverpool, has been an England international since 2018. He has participated in two World Cups and one UEFA Euro Championship. In terms of individual awards, he was selected once for the FIFA FIFPro World Best XI, twice for the UCL Team of the Year, and three times for the Premier League's Young Player of the Year."
The most critical aspect of participating in the FIFA Club World Cup has now become possible. Real Madrid announced, "Alexander-Arnold will participate in the Club World Cup held in the United States from June 14 while belonging to Real Madrid." In exchange, Real Madrid agreed to pay a transfer fee of 10 million euros (approximately 15.7 billion won) for bringing him in a month earlier and covering his salaries for June and July.
Alexander-Arnold is one of the defenders Liverpool prided itself on. Since joining the Liverpool youth team in 2004, he has never changed his uniform. He has played as a starting right-back for Liverpool based on his tremendous kicking power and spent the team's golden years with them. He also led the team as vice-captain in the 2024-2025 season.
His loyalty to Liverpool has been expressed several times. After being appointed Liverpool's vice-captain in the summer of 2023, Alexander-Arnold stated, "My goal has always been to be the captain of Liverpool. Right now, I am part of that process." Naturally, all Liverpool fans envisioned a future continuing with Alexander-Arnold.
However, Alexander-Arnold rarely signed a new contract with Liverpool, leaving fans anxious. Despite his contract expiring in the summer of 2025, no new information surfaced. Last October, he remarked, "Winning the Ballon d'Or is better than winning the UCL." In response, exhausted Liverpool fans began to boo Alexander-Arnold, referring to him as a traitor.
Ultimately, the fans' uneasy predictions did not miss the mark. Alexander-Arnold was already considered to join Real Madrid months ago, and without any surprises, he donned the Real Madrid jersey. He shed tears in his last match with Liverpool but it was insufficient to win back the fans' affection.
Now officially a Real Madrid player, Alexander-Arnold. Previously, Liverpool noted, "Alexander-Arnold joined our club academy at the age of 6 and made his adult debut in October 2016. He is now leaving Anfield with 354 appearances and 23 goals. Additionally, he has lifted a total of eight major trophies, including two Premier League titles, the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, and two League Cups, alongside his teammates."
Liverpool also expressed their gratitude to the 'homegrown talent' Alexander-Arnold leaving on a free transfer (FA), stating, "Liverpool extends its thanks and gratitude to him for his contributions to our success."
Alexander-Arnold inherited the No. 12 jersey from 'legend' Marcelo. He is expected to make his debut in the Club World Cup match against Al Hilal on the coming 19th. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold's signing ceremony is scheduled to take place at 11:30 a.m. local time on the 12th.
[Photo] Real Madrid social media.
[OSEN]