Ibrahima Konate has confessed he was "deeply saddened" that he did not get the chance to say goodbye to Liverpool fans — hours after Real Madrid confirmed the France centre-back will join them on a four-year deal.
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 contract, with a gap over his value and wages proving insurmountable. Real Madrid announced they had reached an agreement for Konate "for him to become a Real Madrid player for the next four seasons, until 30 June, 2030".
“Ibrahima Konate will join Real Madrid on a four-year deal after leaving Liverpool on a free transfer.”
Konate, who is currently with France at the 2026 World Cup, joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 for £35m on a five-year deal. He made 183 appearances for the club and won the Premier League, FA Cup and two League Cups. But his final game — a Premier League fixture against Brentford on 24 May — passed without a formal farewell.
"At that moment, I didn't know it would be my final time wearing this shirt in front of you," Konate said.
His move to the Bernabeu comes as part of a major overhaul at Real Madrid, who have also signed Bernardo Silva on a free transfer from Manchester City and paid £52m for Chelsea's Marc Cucurella. The Spanish club failed to win a trophy last season and have appointed Jose Mourinho for a second spell in charge.
Konate will link up with former Liverpool teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid for a fee a year ago.