Trent Alexander-Arnold stated enjoying for Actual Madrid was a “dream come true” on Thursday, saying he is “able to win numerous trophies” after signing a six-year contract on the membership.
Madrid confirmed Alexander-Arnold’s arrival final month, after reaching an settlement with Liverpool to launch the defender, 26, from his contract early forward of the Membership World Cup.
The England worldwide formally signed his contract — set to run till June 30, 2031 — on Thursday, and posed for photographs along with his new Madrid shirt, which is able to function the title “Trent” and the No. 12.
He was then introduced by president Florentino Perez on the membership’s Valdebebas coaching floor, earlier than dealing with questions from the media in a information convention.
Throughout his presentation, Alexander-Arnold impressed the viewers by delivering a quick speech in Spanish.
“Thanks to Florentino Perez and Actual Madrid for this chance,” he stated. “Signing for a membership like Actual Madrid does not occur on daily basis. It is a dream come true. I am blissful and proud to be right here. I am excited to indicate my sport to the Madrid followers.
“I am conscious of what it means to play for Actual Madrid, it is a massive duty, however I am prepared. I need to win numerous trophies and be a champion, and continue to grow. Thanks, and Hala Madrid.”
Perez referred to as Alexander-Arnold “a participant who’s gained all of it.”
“We all know what it means so that you can play for Actual Madrid,” Perez stated. “You could possibly have gone to any membership on this planet, however you selected us and that is one thing our followers will always remember… For those who’ve chosen to play right here, it is as a result of your expertise makes you imagine you will obtain new successes right here.
“The Bernabeu awaits you, the place you will expertise unbelievable issues. You may discover gamers who’re a giant household, one in every of them your pal, Jude Bellingham. You may quickly perceive what Actual Madrid is. Every trophy pushes you to win the subsequent one.”
Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool after spending 20 years at Anfield, establishing himself as one of many world’s most high-profile full-backs and profitable 9 trophies, together with the 2019 Champions League and the 2020 and 2025 Premier League titles.
He has featured for England at three main tournaments: the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and Euro 2024.
Alexander-Arnold had been a long-term goal for Madrid, and joins after opting to not renew his contract at Anfield. ESPN reported that the LaLiga membership tried to signal the right-back in January — as they seemed to exchange injured captain Dani Carvajal, absent since October — however that try was rebuffed by Liverpool.
The Premier League champions later confirmed that Alexander-Arnold had knowledgeable them that he wouldn’t be signing a brand new deal — saying he wanted “a brand new problem” — and Madrid then negotiated an early launch earlier than his contract was resulting from expire on June 30, to allow him to participate within the Membership World Cup.
A supply advised ESPN that Madrid had agreed to pay a €10 million payment ($11.5m), though neither membership made the determine public. Madrid believed Alexander-Arnold’s participation within the event in the US would assist him adapt to the group, sources stated, in addition to boosting their probabilities of success within the competitors.
Madrid have additionally introduced in centre-back Dean Huijsen forward of the Membership World Cup, as new coach Xabi Alonso appears to be like to rebuild the group’s defence.
The membership have additionally been engaged on offers for Benfica defender Álvaro Carreras and River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono, though each gamers have travelled to the US with their present golf equipment.
