England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Thursday in a presentation ceremony at the Santiago Bernabeu, Afrosport reports.
Alexander-Arnold, who refused to sign a contract extension with Liverpool, joins Madrid until 2031, having signed a six-year deal with the Spanish club, who paid a €10 million transfer fee to have him earlier than usual for this month’s Club World Cup in the United States.
He departs Liverpool after spending 20 years at the club, making 354 appearances, scoring 23 goals and providing 86 assists as well as winning two Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup and two League Cups.
The 26-year-old, who was in the company of his girlfriend, Estelle Behnke, his parents and brothers at the presentation ceremony, addressed the audience, which included Real Madrid president Florentino Perez as well as legendary Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos.
#WelcomeTrent
— Real Madrid C.F.
(@realmadriden) June 12, 2025
The England international, who stunned the crowd with his fluent Spanish, said joining the 15-time European champions was a “dream come true” and “huge responsibility”.
“Thank you so much to President Florentino Perez and Real Madrid for this opportunity,” he said.
“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.”
Club president Perez added: “[Alexander-Arnold is] a player who has won everything, one of the best defenders and full-backs in world football.”
“One on the greatest players worldwide is joining this club and hopefully we can write a new page in the history books.”
The right-back has chosen the No. 12 shirt at Los Blancos, and was pictured with Perez holding a Real Madrid shirt showing ‘Trent’ on the back rather than ‘Alexander-Arnold’ and the No. 66 he wore at Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold will work with former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who was also appointed as Real Madrid boss earlier this month.
He praised the Spanish football legend, and talked about his viewing experience watching Alonso as a youngster.
“I grew up as a Liverpool fan, seeing [what happened] in Istanbul with the manager now doing amazing things and playing his part in an incredible final,” said Alexander-Arnold.
“We have spoken a little bit. It is good to have that communication. I told him that he was a big idol of mine growing up so to be able to work with him now is a dream come true for me.”
He could make his Real Madrid debut when they take on Al-Hilal in their opening group game at the Club World Cup on 18 June in Miami.
