Alexander Arnold confirms Liverpool departure with Real Madrid likely destination

LONDON, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Liverpool's England international full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed on Monday that he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of June.

Alexander Arnold gave the news in a communique which he published in which he thanked the club and fans for the support he had received during his 20 years at the club he joined as a six-year-old.

"I think first and foremost, I want to say it's not an easy decision and there's a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it. I've been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I've ever wanted to here," said the 26-year-old.

The defender said he needed "a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that," while insisting he had "loved every single minute" of his time at Liverpool.

Alexander Arnold was one of three Liverpool players out of contract at the end of the season, but striker Mohamed Salah and central defender Virgil van Dijk both signed new two-year deals in April.

Alexander Arnold has played 352 times for Liverpool and leaves after winning two Premier League titles with Liverpool, along with the Champions League, the Club World Cup and the FA Cup, he is now expected to move to Spanish outfit, Real Madrid, where he will team up with fellow England international, Jude Bellingham. ■