BARCELONA, Aug 11 — Uruguay centre-back Ronald Araujo has joined Liverpool on a season-long loan from Barcelona, the Spanish champions announced yesterday.

Barca did not specify the details of the deal, but according to the Spanish press, Liverpool will cover the player’s wages and will have an option to buy set at €55 million (RM260 million).

“FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC have agreed the loan of Ronald Araujo until June 30, 2027. Good luck, Ronald!” Barcelona wrote in a statement.

Araujo is under contract until 2031 after renewing with the Catalan club in 2025.

The 27-year-old slipped down the pecking order under Hansi Flick with young Spaniard Pau Cubarsi becoming the main pillar of the Barca defence.

Last season, Araujo played just 35 matches across all competitions, stepping away for a few weeks with mental exhaustion.

The Uruguayan returned in January but found other defenders such as Eric García and Gerard Martín also ahead of him.

Araujo, who was part of the Uruguay squad at the World Cup although he did not feature, joins a Liverpool side which needs a new centre-back to partner Virgil van Dijk.

Ibrahima Konate has left for Real Madrid while Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are both injured.

“I’m excited to be here at this massive club with lots of history,” said Araujo.

“I’m excited to meet my team-mates, excited to get started playing, and I’m very motivated and really up for getting going.

“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.”

Liverpool, now under the guidance of Spaniard Andoni Iraola, have also signed young French defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes. — AFP