Real Madrid have completed the signing of former Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, making him their third addition of the summer transfer window after Marc Cucurella and Bernardo Silva.
Konate, who was on the bench during France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal in their World Cup opener on Monday, joins the Spanish giants after leaving Liverpool as a free agent following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2025/26 season.
The French centre-back arrived at Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 and enjoyed a successful spell at Anfield. He played a key role in the club’s Premier League triumph under Arne Slot in 2024/25 and also helped the Reds win two EFL Cups and an FA Cup during Jurgen Klopp’s tenure.
Konate was part of Liverpool’s defence in the 2022 UEFA Champions League final, where the Merseyside club suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid.
Long linked with a move to the Bernabeu, the 27-year-old will reunite with former Liverpool teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold after agreeing to a four-year contract with Los Blancos. His move will become official at the end of the month.
Madrid have already strengthened their squad with the arrivals of Cucurella from Chelsea in a deal worth €60 million (£51.8 million) and fellow free agent Bernardo Silva as Jose Mourinho begins his second spell in charge.
Konate leaves Liverpool after making 183 appearances, the highest total by a French-born player in the club’s history. He featured alongside Virgil van Dijk in 154 of those matches, forming one of Liverpool’s most reliable defensive partnerships.
