Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona on a season-long loan deal.
In 2025, Araujo signed a contract extension with the La Liga side which should keep him with the Catalans until 2031. However, the loan deal with Liverpool includes a buy-option clause worth around £47.14m (€55m).
While the Reds have not paid Barcelona a fee for the loan, they will cover Araujo’s salary during his season-long loan, with the Uruguayan reportedly accepting a pay cut to facilitate the move.
Araujo, who did not feature in the 2026 World Cup due to injury, is expected to join his new team-mates this week for training.
Araujo excited to begin Liverpool adventure
Speaking on his move, Araujo said, “I can’t wait to get started. I’m very, very happy.I’m excited to be here at this massive club with lots of history.”
He added, “I’m excited to meet my team-mates, excited to get started playing, and I’m very motivated and really up for getting going.
“I think it was the ideal move for me at this stage in my career. I think it was a move that was necessary for me to take. As soon as I heard that interest from Liverpool, everything went into action really, really quickly.
“As I say, I’m super-happy to be here and excited to get started. I’m glad about the interest and it was the right move at the right time.”
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Liverpool face defensive injury problems
Following Ibrahima Konate’s departure to Real Madrid, and fitness concerns surrounding Jeremy Jacquet, Araujo will help fill the gaps within Andoni Iraola’s centre-back options.
Jacquet missed the second half of last season following shoulder surgery, and has not featured in Liverpool’s pre-season.
Iraola’s backline has also seen more injuries, with Joe Gomez carrying a muscle injury from the Reds’ opening pre-season game, while Giovanni Leoni is yet to return from an ACL injury.
With the addition of Araujo, Iraola now has only two fully fit centre-backs in the Uruguay international and captain Virgil van Dijk.
Araujo is versatile and can play as both a centre-back and right-back. Iraola will be hoping his latest defensive addition will strengthen the backline as Liverpool aim to stake their claim under a new manager.
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