Trent Alexander Arnold officially quits Liverpool, set to sign for Real Madrid
Arnold stated that he had lived his dream at Liverpool and was now ready for a new chapter in his life.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will quit Liverpool and head to Real Madrid after agreeing verbally to a move this summer.
Alexander Arnold, whose contact at Liverpool runs out at the end of this current season has turned down efforts by Liverpool to extend his stay at a club he supported as a boy, and now, following weeks of negotiations, a deal is close.
In a social media post Monday morning, Arnold stated that he had lived his dream at the club and was now ready for a new chapter in his life.
"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. This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life," said Trent.
"I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20."
"This club has been my whole life, my whole world for 20 years. 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," he added.
"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."
26-year-old Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool's academy in 2004 and captained the club across its youth levels.
He made his senior debut in 2016, at age 18, and played in back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, winning the latter, and being named in the Champions League Squad of the Season.
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody, my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff, and our incredible supporters, for the last 20 years.
"I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here, and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die," he said.
Alexander-Arnold has made 349 Liverpool appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 87 assists.