Ibrahima Konate has admitted he was 'deeply saddened' he never got to say goodbye to Liverpool fans, after the France centre-back agreed a four-year deal with Real Madrid — the Spanish giants also appointing Jose Mourinho for a second spell as manager.
The 27-year-old will leave Anfield on a free transfer at the end of June after the two parties failed to agree a new deal over a gap in his value and wages. Real Madrid confirmed they had reached an agreement 'for him to become a Real Madrid player for the next four seasons, until 30 June, 2030'.
“Ibrahima Konate joins Real Madrid on a free transfer after failing to agree a new Liverpool deal.”
Konate, who is part of France's squad at the 2026 World Cup, joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 for £35m on a five-year contract. He made 183 appearances in all competitions, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and two League Cups.
But his final match in a Liverpool shirt passed without a proper farewell. 'At that moment, I didn't know it would be my final time wearing this shirt in front of you,' he said, reflecting on the Reds' last Premier League game of the season against Brentford on 24 May.
Liverpool have already begun life without him by confirming their first signing of the Andoni Iraola era — a £35m deal for a winger who had looked set to join a Premier League rival. The player's identity has not been disclosed by the club.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been busy. Alongside Konate, they have secured Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva on a free transfer after he left Manchester City, and signed Spain defender Marc Cucurella from Chelsea in a deal worth £52m. Silva, 31, joins as another free transfer for a Madrid side that failed to win a trophy last season.
The flurry of activity comes after the club appointed Jose Mourinho as manager for his second spell in charge, signalling a new era at the Bernabéu.