What role did 'Agent' Jude Bellingham play in Real Madrid transfer? Trent Alexander-Arnold explains after joining 'Galactico' England team-mate in Spain

After several months of intense speculation, as his contract at Anfield ran down, Alexander-Arnold confirmed that he would be leaving his Merseyside roots and taking on a new challenge at Santiago Bernabeu.

The 26-year-old full-back has now been officially unveiled as a Real player, with the Blancos agreeing to part with a €10 million (£9m/$12m) fee in order to bring Alexander-Arnold onto their books before the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Alexander-Arnold is now linking up with England colleague and close friend Bellingham, with it suggested that the pair have been discussing a move to Spain for some time. The newest ‘Galactico’ in Madrid insists that is not the case.

Alexander-Arnold said when asked about the 'Agent Jude' reports: "We spoke, it wasn't exactly what people think it was. We spoke a lot about Liverpool and Madrid, they're the conversations you have as players and friends, you want to know what it's like.

"At the national team, he was the only player who knew what it was like to be at Real Madrid so a lot were asking questions. A lot of people think he played a big part in me coming here but it was a big opportunity for me and it felt like the right time."

Alexander-Arnold, who showcased his Spanish-speaking skills when arriving in Madrid, added on why he severed career-long ties with Liverpool in order to step out of his comfort zone: "It was never a question of where - it was a question of whether to go. But I've probably known for a long time that if I was to ever leave Liverpool, it would only be to go to Real Madrid. That would be the only club for me.

"It wasn't an easy decision because I'd been there so long but eventually you have to make a decision and in my mind, I've made the right one. I loved every single minute of it and achieved everything I wanted to. I'll forever be in debt to the club. But I thought it was the right moment, been there 20 years, achieving everything I wanted to, being the age I am, I feel I'm mature and experienced to be successful somewhere else.

"We had an amazing conversation in the last couple of days with the owners, thanking me for the service I gave to the club, wishing me good luck, and saying I'd always be welcome back. Sent off in the perfect way."

Alexander-Arnold, who won Premier League and Champions League titles with Liverpool, has signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid that will take him through to the summer of 2031.