Ex-Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold shocked the soccer world with his fluency in Spanish after … More
Ex-Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold shocked the soccer world with his fluency in Spanish when being presented as a new Real Madrid signing on Thursday afternoon.
Madrid paid around $11 million (€10 million) to get the England right back out of his Reds contract early.
Alexander-Arnold’s terms at Anfield were set to expire on June 30. Yet paying the mentioned fee means he’s already joined Xabi Alonso’s squad, which will contest the newly-reimagined Club World Cup which kicks off in the United States on Saturday via a meeting between Al-Ahly and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
With former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen unveiled on Tuesday, it was now Alexander-Arnold’s turn to be shown off to the world as Perez’s latest signing.
Taking to the podium, the 26-year-old surprised with his fluency in Spanish and had clearly been taking classes to learn the language ahead of completing his widely-expected transfer.
“Good afternoon everyone. Thank you to both the president and the club for this opportunity. Signing for Real Madrid doesn’t happen every day, it’s a dream come true,” Alexander-Arnold first said.
“I am very happy and proud. I really want to show my game to Madridistas. I am aware that playing for Real Madrid is a great responsibility, but I am ready to give it my all. I really want to win many titles, be a champion and grow with the best in the world. Thank you and… Hala Madrid!,” he added.
Perez said that Madridistas were “once again living an important day”, with a “player who has won everything” arriving at their club.
He called Alexander-Arnold “one of the best full-backs in the world who has marked an era at Liverpool”, and who at 26, “has become a legend there and now wants to continue writing his story” in the Spanish capital.
“He wants to feel the excitement of wearing our shirt. Welcome. First of all, our gratitude: we know what it means to you to play for Real Madrid. You could have continued [at Liverpool]… But you have chosen to come and that, Real Madrid fans will never forget,” Perez promised the Englishman when addressing him directly.
“These fans will always support you, always. The Bernabeu is waiting for you, where you will experience unique moments, [that are] sometimes difficult to understand. Its magic and mystique makes you fall in love. You will soon understand what this club is all about. Each title is a boost to win the next… and the next is a Club World Cup that starts this weekend. Thank you, Alexander-Arnold, for coming to your home; Real Madrid,” the president then concluded.
Ex-Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold should be an instant starter at Real Madrid
With Spanish veteran Dani Carvajal still recovering from a serious ACL rupture, and Fede Valverde previously covering their position, Alexander-Arnold should become an immediate starter at right back for Real Madrid. He’ll do so under another Liverpool legend that swapped Anfield for the Bernabeu in new head coach Xabi Alonso, while also being reunited with his England teammate and close friend Jude Bellingham.
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