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Jun 18, 20261
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Ibrahima Konaté Completes Free Transfer to Real Madrid from Liverpool
French centre-back Ibrahima Konaté has completed a free transfer to Real Madrid on a four-year contract after his Liverpool tenure ended. The 1.94-metre-tall defender, known for his physical dominance and athletic capabilities, will bolster Real Madrid's defence following persistent injury challenges.
Quick Facts
Who
Ibrahima Konaté
What
Signed a four-year contract with Real Madrid
When
2026-06-18
Where
Real Madrid
- Signed a four-year contract with Real Madrid
- Completed free transfer from Liverpool
- Ended contract with Liverpool
- Second player to move from Liverpool to Real Madrid in two years
- Recorded top speed of 36.07 km/h last season
Ibrahima Konaté, a French centre-back, has joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after ending his contract with Liverpool. The 25-year-old from Paris has signed a four-year deal with the Spanish club, becoming the second player to make the move from Anfield to the Bernabéu in two years, following Trent Alexander-Arnold's arrival last summer.
Konaté's arrival addresses a significant defensive challenge for Real Madrid, which has struggled with injuries at centre-back in recent seasons. The condition forced manager Carlo Ancelotti and his predecessors to deploy midfielders like Tchouaméni as emergency defenders. With 118 Premier League appearances, 36 Champions League matches, and nearly 30 caps for France, Konaté brings both experience and physical presence to reinforce the backline.
Physically, the 1.94-metre-tall defender is known as "The Mountain" for his dominant profile and athletic capabilities. During his final season at Liverpool, he recorded a top speed of 36.07 km/h and completed 220 successful duels out of 319 attempts, the second-highest success rate among Premier League defenders. He also won 124 aerial duels out of 174, ranking fourth in the league. His strength in one-on-one situations and recovery defending complement his ability to cover large spaces and counter-press effectively.
Konaté's defensive approach prioritizes interceptions, physicality, and support play rather than anticipation, a profile that benefited his partnership with Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool. His composition on the ball and simple, risk-averse passing style will provide stability to Real Madrid's defence. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp signed Konaté from RB Leipzig for €40 million in 2021, highlighting his status as a reliable defender who excels in open-field situations and penalty-area defending, having completed 190 clearances in the Premier League last season alone.
Why This Matters
Konaté's free transfer represents a strategic coup for Real Madrid, addressing a critical defensive vulnerability that forced the club to deploy midfielders in emergency centre-back roles. His Premier League experience, physical dominance, and proven ability to perform in elite competitions provide immediate reinforcement to a squad that has been plagued by centre-back injuries. For Liverpool, his departure marks another significant loss to rival Real Madrid in quick succession, highlighting the competitive pressure on the club's defensive resources.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2021
WireJürgen Klopp signs Konaté from RB Leipzig for €40 million
Jun 18, 2026
WireIbrahima Konaté completes free transfer to Real Madrid on four-year contract