Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he will leave boyhood club, Liverpool at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old’s contract, who has been at the club since he was six, expires on 30th June and is expected to join Real Madrid next season.
“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.
Alexander-Arnold was one of three players whose deals at Anfield were to expire this summer, however while Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have signed new deals in the last couple of weeks, Alexander-Arnold will leave.
“This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.”
The Liverpool-born defender has made 352 appearances and scored 23 goals for the club since making his debut in 2016 as a teenager.
He has helped them win this season’s Premier League in Arne Slot’s debut season and also won the Premier League under the Reds’ former manager Jurgen Klopp in 2019-20.
His other trophies with Liverpool also include the Champions League in 2018-19, the 2022 FA Cup and two League Cups.
This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years,” added Alexander-Arnold.”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.”
Liverpool have also confirmed the news, saying Alexander-Arnold “will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success”.
He is reportedly said to join Real Madrid ahead of next season.