Jude Bellingham finally reacts to Trent Alexander-Arnold signing for Real Madrid as club announce shock early deal

Jude Bellingham has reacted to Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid for the first time after it was confirmed that the Liverpool right-back will join the club from June 1.

Alexander-Arnold announced earlier this month that he would be departing Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of his contract.

He played his last game for the club in a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Anfield last weekend, before lifting the Premier League trophy.

Behind the scenes, Real were working on an agreement that would allow Alexander-Arnold to play for them at the Club World Cup, which begins on June 14.

To do that, Real had to negotiate an early exit from the defender's Liverpool contract.

And on Friday, Los Blancos announced that Alexander-Arnold would be joining the club from June 1, allowing him to play at this summer's tournament.

According to The Times' Paul Joyce, Real will pay Liverpool a total sum of £10 million, which includes the Spanish giants covering his entire Reds salary until the end of his Anfield contract.

Alexander-Arnold will now team up with England team-mate and close friend Bellingham at club level.

And Bellingham has reacted to the move for the first time by liking two separate announcements from Real Madrid's official accounts.

He then posted a message to his own Instagram story, simply writing: "Welcome @trentarnold66!"

Fabrizio Romano reports that Bellingham played a key role in Alexander-Arnold's decision to move to the Bernabeu.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained: "He has always been speaking very well about Real Madrid, as a club and as a group of players.

"Obviously, the Bernabeu and the magic of Real Madrid, and the city and life in Madrid. Fantastic relationship between Trent and Jude, who spread fantastic words about Real Madrid, about everything Real Madrid."

Alexander-Arnold could make his Real debut on June 18 when Xabi Alonso's side take on Al Hilal in the first group stage match of the Club World Cup.