MADRID: England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold described joining Real Madrid as a “dream come true” and “huge responsibility” as he addressed fans in Spanish on his presentation.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, would have been able to leave Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of his contract on June 30 but the 15-time European champions Real paid the Reds a fee to release him early so that he could play for them at this month’s Club World Cup.

A highlights video showing Alexander-Arnold as a young player plus his goals, assists and defending for Liverpool and England was played prior to Real president Florentino Perez welcoming the right-back to the club.

Alexander-Arnold, who was sat with his girlfriend, Estelle Behnke, his parents and brothers, then took to the stage and addressed the audience – which included former Real left-back Roberto Carlos – in Spanish.

He said: “Thank you so much to president Florentino Perez and Real Madrid for this opportunity. Signing for a club like Real Madrid doesn’t happen every day. It’s a dream come true. I’m very happy and proud to be here. I’m eager to show the club and the fans what I can do.

“I want to show them what I can do, I want to win many titles, be champions, and continue to grow and enjoy football with the best in the world.”

The two-time Premier League champion was then pictured with Perez holding the Real shirt, with the name Trent instead of Alexander-Arnold on it, and the number 12 rather than the 66 he wore at Liverpool.
He goes straight into action at the Club World Cup game in which Madrid’s opening gane is against Saudi side Al-Hilal on June 18 in Miami.

The England international has agreed a six-year deal with the La Liga side and his contract includes a €1bn buy-out clause.

Alexander-Arnold made 354 appearances for Liverpool – who he was with from the age of six – scoring 23 goals and providing 86 assists for the club since making his debut in 2016. His departure follows him helped the Reds win the 2024-25 Premier League title under Arne Slot and he also won the top-flight under former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in 2019-20.

His other trophies with Liverpool include the Champions League in 2018-19, the 2022 FA Cup and two League Cups.

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