Liverpool have agreed to sell Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup. The Premier League champions will now receive around £8million for a player who was set to leave on a free transfer, in addition to £2m saved in wages for the remaining month of the defender's contract.

Alexander-Arnold was due to join Los Blancos when his Liverpool contract expired on June 30. However, Madrid were keen for him to play for them in the Club World Cup, which begins on June 15. Both clubs have now reached an agreement for the England international to be released from his contract prematurely, with the Spanish giants paying £8m. It brings to an end Alexander-Arnold's near-20-year association with his boyhood club.

A Liverpool statement read: “Liverpool FC can confirm an offer has been accepted for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid for his transfer upon the opening of the June transfer window.

“The full-back is now set to join the La Liga club ahead of the expiry of his Reds contract this summer. Liverpool will receive a fee for his services, with the deal to be concluded once the window opens on June 1. Alexander-Arnold joined the club’s academy at the age of six and progressed through the ranks to make his senior competitive debut in October 2016.

He now departs Anfield after 354 appearances and 23 goals for the club, as well as lifting eight major honours alongside his teammates, which consist of two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups. Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool FC with the club appreciative and grateful for his contribution to those successes.”

Madrid added in a separate statement: "Real Madrid and Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold for the next six seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2031. Alexander-Arnold will be playing for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup."

Alexander-Arnold had already revealed that he would leave at the end of his contract and bid a teary farewell after Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last weekend. He also seemed emotional during the club's parade through the city on Monday.

He was booed by some fans in his first appearance after confirming that he would depart, a 2-2 draw with Arsenal on May 11, and did not feature again until the second half of the final game of the Premier League season. Speaking after a game in which he received a better reception, the 26-year-old said: “I didn’t know what to expect stepping out at Anfield today after what had happened a few weeks ago, but I wanted to play for the club one more time. I said that to the manager and he trusted me to go in at half-time.

“To get the reception I got means more than anything to me. I’ve played hundreds of games for the club, but I’ve never felt so loved and so cared for than today. From the bottom of my heart I hope that one day the fans, the supporters of this club, will be able to recognise the hard work and everything that I’ve done for the team.”