Ibrahima Konaté was officially presented as a Real Madrid player on Thursday, becoming the third figure to receive an official welcome at the club this week following José Mourinho on Tuesday and Bernardo Silva on Wednesday.
The presentation took place at Real Madrid City, where club president Florentino Pérez welcomed Konaté in the boardroom. The French defender signed a four-year contract running until June 30, 2030, before receiving a replica of the Santiago Bernabéu, a watch, and a Real Madrid shirt
bearing his name and the No. 16. Honorary president José Martínez “Pirri” was also in attendance.
For Konaté, the move carries particular significance. Speaking to the club, the former Liverpool defender revealed that the first football shirt he ever owned was a Real Madrid jersey given to him by his older brother.
“It means a lot to me, because the first shirt I ever owned was a Real Madrid shirt, a gift from my older brother. From that moment on, I always dreamed of playing for this fantastic team, and today I’m so happy to be living that dream. I know the club has very high expectations for anyone who wears this shirt, and I’m here to fight for this team with everything I have, both on and off the pitch.”
Konaté also addressed Real Madrid’s European Cup history, which includes one particularly painful memory for him. He started for Liverpool in the 2022 Champions League final in Paris, when Vinícius Júnior’s goal secured a 1-0 victory for Madrid.
“I feel great here, I only feel bad about one, the one in Paris 2022, because I was playing for Liverpool at that time and Real Madrid won that Champions League again.”
Now on the other side of that equation, Konaté made winning the Champions League with Real Madrid one of his stated ambitions. He also thanked Pérez and those involved in completing the move, speaking in Spanish as he reflected on realizing a childhood dream.
“I want to be part of Real Madrid’s history and I want to win titles, win the Champions League with this team, and be part of its history forever.”
Konaté then made a promise to the club and its supporters:
“I promise to give everything for this shirt.”
The 27-year-old arrives in Madrid on a free transfer after allowing his Liverpool contract to expire, continuing a recruitment strategy Real Madrid have used to bring in several high-profile players without paying a transfer fee, including Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Kylian Mbappé.
Konaté’s four-year agreement will reportedly see him earn around €22 million gross per season, placing the French international among the higher earners in the squad.
His arrival also gives Mourinho another option in a position that was heavily affected by injuries last season. At 1.94 metres, Konaté brings considerable size and physicality to Madrid’s defensive line, as well as experience at the highest level with Liverpool and France.
Konaté has operated exclusively as a centre-back throughout his professional career and now joins a defensive group that includes Eder Militao, Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen.
The Frenchman could get his first opportunity almost immediately. Konaté will be available, should Mourinho choose to use him, to make his official Real Madrid debut against Espanyol at Cornellà-El Prat on Saturday.
