England international Trent Alexander-Arnold has officially announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, bringing an emotional 20-year journey with the club to a close.
The 26-year-old right-back is expected to join Spanish giants Real Madrid as a free agent, with a six-year deal reportedly in its final stages.
“This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life,” Alexander-Arnold wrote on social media. “I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, and achieved all my dreams. But I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge, both as a player and as a person.”
Alexander-Arnold leaves Anfield after making 352 appearances for the Reds, winning two Premier League titles, including the 2024/25 crown, as well as the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, Carabao Cup (twice), and the Community Shield.
Despite hopes of a contract extension alongside fellow stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool were unable to reach an agreement with the academy graduate, who was free to negotiate with foreign clubs from January 1. The club turned down a winter approach from Real Madrid, prioritising their title push over a potential fee.
In an emotional interview with LFC TV, Alexander-Arnold expressed his gratitude to Liverpool supporters: “You guys have been there from the start… I hope they’ve felt my love for the club. I’ve given everything I could.”
Madrid had long identified Alexander-Arnold as a priority signing, with the defender previously stating that winning trophies would be the key factor in deciding his future.
“The most important thing is trophies,” he told reporters earlier this year. “I’m a player who is highly motivated by winning things and being elite.”
