By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Real Madrid signed centre-back Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer following his exit from Liverpool, the LaLiga club said on Thursday.
Konaté, 27, has agreed a deal until 2030 with the Spanish club.
Los Blancos and centre-back Konate “reached an agreement for him to become a Real Madrid player for the next four seasons, until June 30, 2030,” said the Spanish giants in a statement.
He becomes Madrid’s third signing of the summer after the arrivals from Chelsea and Manchester City respectively.
He is currently at the World Cup with France, joins from Liverpool after failing to agree a contract extension to remain at Anfield.
Konate spent five seasons at Liverpool after joining from RB Leipzig in 2021, making 183 appearances and playing a key role in their Premier League title-winning campaign in 2024-25, where he formed a strong partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk. He also won two League Cups and the FA Cup, and finished runner-up in the Champions League in 2022.
Los Blancos have also been linked with Inter Milan wing-back Denzel Dumfries, as they overhaul their squad after going two consecutive seasons without a major trophy.
Real have renewed the contract of centre-back Antonio Rudiger until 2027, after Dani Carvajal and David Alaba left the club at the end of their contracts at the Santiago Bernabeu.