Trent Alexander-Arnold has ended months of speculation and confirmed that he will leave English Premier League champions Liverpool at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old England right-back, who has been at the club since he was six years old, is out of contract on June 30 and is expected to join Real Madrid as a free agent.
“After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season,” Alexander-Arnold announced on social media on Monday.
“This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
“I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.
“This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
“But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.
“I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here.
“From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years.
“I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die.”
Alexander-Arnold is one of three high-profile players whose deals at Anfield run out this summer, but while Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have signed new contracts in recent weeks, the defender will leave.
The Liverpool-born star has made 352 appearances and scored 23 goals for the club since making his debut in 2016.
He has helped them win this season’s top-flight title under Arne Slot and also won the Premier League under the former manager Jurgen Klopp in 2019-2020.
His other trophies with Liverpool also include the UEFA Champions League in 2018-2019, the 2022 FA Cup and two League Cups.
Reports on Monday claimed Alexander-Arnold has already agreed a five-year deal with Real Madrid.
