TransferLiverpool agree deal to sign Ronald Araujo on loan

The experienced Uruguay international will join the Reds having made more than 200 appearances for the La Liga side.

Araujo has contributed to three Spanish top-flight triumphs since joining Barcelona in 2018 – including in the most recent season – and was appointed club captain earlier this year.

He sealed a temporary switch to Anfield today, bolstering Andoni Iraola’s defensive ranks ahead of the new campaign getting under way.

“I can’t wait to get started. I’m very, very happy,” 27-year-old Araujo, who will wear No.33, told Liverpoolfc.com.

“I’m excited to be here at this massive club with lots of history. I’m excited to meet my teammates, 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.”

• Get your 'R. Araujo - 33' LFC jersey here

A centre-back also capable of playing at right-back, Araujo’s professional career began with Rentistas in his home country.

After a single season with Uruguayan outfit Boston River, he then made the move to Europe in a transfer to Barcelona, where he initially participated in the club’s B team.

Araujo debuted at senior level for Barça in 2019 and broke into the set-up permanently from the 2020-21 campaign onwards.

To date, he has tallied 213 appearances and 14 goals for Barcelona, lifting the Copa del Rey twice and the Spanish Super Cup three times, alongside those three La Liga successes.

Araujo has also gained 27 international caps for Uruguay, scoring once.