RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 4 sourcesRonald Araujo has immediately done one thing which hasn’t been seen at Liverpool for 10 years
Ronald Araujo has completed his loan move to Liverpool from Barcelona for the 2026/27 season, with the deal being confirmed on Monday evening.
The Reds have the option of making the transfer permanent for £47.1m if they wish to do so and will cover the entirety of his wages, with the Uruguay international taking a reduction on his pay in order to facilitate the move to Merseyside ( The Athletic ).
The 27-year-old wears number 4 for his country and also had that shirt at Camp Nou, but with the no.4 at Anfield occupied by captain Virgil van Dijk, the new signing has taken number 33 instead.
Araujo explains Liverpool shirt number choice
In his first interview with liverpoolfc.com , Araujo explained why he opted for the no.33 jersey.
He said: “It’s a number that I like. It’s a number that is special to me. Funnily enough, way back when I made my debut as a professional, that was the number that I was wearing back then.
“It has a personal meaning for me as well. It has a meaning which is all to do with my faith and my relationship with Jesus and God and religion. It’s a subject I spoke about and had a good conversation with my friends, my family, my partner and my parents. It’s a number I’m very pleased on a number of levels to be wearing.”
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Araujo becomes our first no.33 in a decade
Araujo has become the first player to wear the number 33 shirt at Liverpool in a decade, with that jersey having been vacant since Jordon Ibe left for Bournemouth in July 2016 ( Transfermarkt ).
Past number 33s at Liverpool
The 27-year-old has given Andoni Iraola a much-needed selection boost in defence, with the Reds not exactly overflowing with centre-back and right-back options in recent games, although Jamie Carragher has still branded the Uruguayan’s move as ‘ reactive ‘ from FSG.
There have been question marks over the injury record and temperament of the new arrival, but that’s more than offset by the high-level experience that he’ll bring from more than 200 appearances for Barcelona, who he’s captained since January.
Having already trained at Liverpool, Araujo is in line to make his first (unofficial) appearance for the club in one of the matches against Como at Anfield next Sunday and could then be granted a formal debut in the Premier League opener at Newcastle the following weekend.
We wish the Uruguayan all the best on Merseyside and hope that he can make a lasting impact in the iconic red shirt!
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