Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool when his contract expires this summer.
Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid as a free agent, with sources in Spain — speaking anonymously to protect relationships — suggesting a proposed six-year agreement, which would start in July, is in the process of being completed.
A deal for the right-back, 26, to join the La Liga side has now entered its final stages and is on course to be signed in the coming weeks.
“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 said in a statement 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.”
With his contract entering its final six months Alexander-Arnold has been able to negotiate with Madrid, or any overseas club, since January 1.
