Liverpool have signed Uruguay centre-back Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona.
The deal for the 27-year-old, who joined Barca from Uruguayan club Boston River in 2018 and can also play right-back, includes an option to buy.
“I’m excited to be here at this massive club with lots of history. I’m excited to meet my team-mates, excited to get started playing, and I’m very motivated and really up for getting going,” he said.
“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.”
Liverpool have been looking to strengthen their defence this summer after France international Ibrahima Konate left the club to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Araujo has made more than 200 appearances for Barca, winning three La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey trophies, and was given the captaincy in January following the loan departure of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Spanish football commentator Alvaro Romeo says three years ago Araujo was “a colossus” during Barca’s title-winning run.
“He was phenomenal in defence and the best defender in La Liga by far,” Romeo told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“But then after he got injuries, a little bit of absent-mindedness, in some moments he lost concentration.
“If he can regain that, which is not impossible in my opinion, then he’s going to be a very good asset for Liverpool.”
Araujo is under contract at the Nou Camp until 2031 but he only made 11 league starts last season as Barca were crowned Spanish champions for the 29th time.
Liverpool start their Premier League campaign away at Newcastle United on Sunday, 23 August at 16:30 BST.
