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Trent Alexander-Arnold has officially announced his departure from Liverpool, ending a 20-year association with his boyhood club, and is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.

The 26-year-old right-back confirmed the move in an emotional social media statement on Monday, citing a desire for a “new challenge” after achieving every major honor at Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid, widely reported since January, has entered its final stages, with a five-year contract pending official signatures

The deal, confirmed by both Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein, includes a salary of €15 million annually (pre-tax) alongside performance bonuses and a signing-on fee

Real Madrid’s urgency to integrate Alexander-Arnold early stems from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which begins on June 15 in the USA.

FIFA’s “exceptional registration window” (June 1–10) allows clubs to sign players pre-tournament, but Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool contract expires on June 30.

To secure his early release, Madrid must negotiate a compensation fee with Liverpool, currently disputed between £500,000 and £1.7 million, with the Reds also insisting he forfeit his June salary.

Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher has reacted to the news via his Telegraph column, with the former Liverpool man giving Trent Alexander-Arnold a warning of sorts.

The Liverpool legend has asserted that the right-back will be subject to the same boos and whistles that Luis Suarez recieved in the 2019 Champions League semi-final, as well as not enjoying the full support of the Anfield faithful as he has been doing:

“I love seeing a Liverpool-born lad doing so well he will play for Real Madrid,” Carragher wrote in his Telegram column:

“Part of me thinks ‘well done’ but the competitive element in me also thinks swapping Liverpool red for Real Madrid white means he has chosen to become a rival.”

“It means the next time he is at Anfield he will receive the same treatment as Luis Suarez when he returned to Merseyside in a Barcelona shirt.”

The Sky Sports pundit went on further to say:

“With Monday’s statement, the unconditional support Alexander-Arnold enjoyed from the Kop when he was fully committed to Liverpool has gone.

“It has to be this way at the biggest clubs.”

Liverpool’s official statement praised Alexander-Arnold’s “immense contributions” with the 26-year old’s record standing at 352 appearances, 23 goals, 92 assists, and eight major trophies, including this season’s Premier League title.

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