Liverpool, 11 August (H.S.): English football giants Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo on loan for the 2026-27 season. The club confirmed that the move remains subject to a successful work permit application and international clearance.

The 27-year-old Uruguay international has made more than 200 appearances for Barcelona since joining the club in 2018. He has been part of three La Liga-winning campaigns, including the most recent season. Earlier this year, Araujo was also appointed Barcelona's captain.

Following his move to Liverpool, Araujo will wear the No. 33 shirt.

Speaking to Liverpool's official website, Araujo expressed his excitement about joining the club and said he was eager to begin his new chapter.

I can't wait to get started. I'm very, very happy. I'm excited to be part of this big club with such a great history. I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates and getting started. I'm highly motivated and completely ready to begin, he said.

Araujo added that joining Liverpool represented the right move for him at this stage of his career.

I think at this stage of my career, this was the ideal move for me. I feel it was a step I needed to take. As soon as I learned about Liverpool's interest, everything moved very quickly. I'm extremely happy to be here and excited to get started. It was the right move at the right time, he said.

Primarily a centre-back, Araujo can also operate at right-back when required. He began his professional career with Uruguayan club Rentistas before spending a season with Boston River. He subsequently moved to Europe and joined Barcelona, initially featuring for the club's reserve side.

Araujo made his senior-team debut for Barcelona in 2019 and established himself as a regular member of the first team from the 2020-21 season onwards. He has since made 213 appearances for the Catalan club, scoring 14 goals.

During his time at Barcelona, Araujo has won two Copa del Rey titles, three Spanish Super Cups and three La Liga championships.

At international level, Araujo has represented Uruguay 27 times and has scored one goal for his country. His arrival is expected to add further defensive strength and versatility to Liverpool's squad ahead of the new campaign.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar