Liverpool have completed the signing of Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo from Barcelona, bringing the 27-year-old to Anfield on a season-long loan.
Loan agreement and contract details
The move begins with a temporary transfer and includes a purchase clause worth approximately £47.14m (€55m). Araujo agreed a fresh Barcelona contract running through 2031 last year.
- Liverpool will not pay a loan charge to Barcelona.
- The Premier League club will meet the defender’s full wages throughout the season.
- Araujo is understood to have accepted a reduction in salary to make the transfer possible.
- He will wear Liverpool’s No 33 shirt.
Araujo welcomes the move
Araujo said he was delighted to join Liverpool and eager to begin working with his new colleagues. He described the club as one of football’s biggest institutions, with a rich history, and said he was looking forward to meeting the squad and playing.
The Uruguay international added that the transfer represented the perfect step for him at this point in his career. He felt the move was important, said Liverpool’s interest accelerated the process quickly, and expressed his belief that the timing was right.
Defensive reinforcements
Araujo is expected to take part in training with his new team-mates this week. He missed the World Cup because of an injury.
His arrival gives Andoni Iraola another option in central defence after Ibrahima Konate left for Real Madrid. Liverpool have also been managing fitness concerns involving 21-year-old Jeremy Jacquet, who remains relatively inexperienced.
