Ronald Araujo's shirt number has been revealed after his move to Liverpool was completed. The Uruguay international has joined Liverpool on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona, and will provide much-needed depth and experience in central defence.
Transfer details and role
Sky Sports have reported that the Reds have agreed an option to buy Araujo permanently next summer for around £47.14m (€55m), should the 27-year-old enjoy an impressive spell on Merseyside. Predominately a centre-back, Araujo can also operate as a right-back. He made 38 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona last season and was appointed captain following the exit of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in January.
While Araujo has not played a single minute in pre-season, he has been training with Barcelona so shouldn't need too long before getting up to speed. He could make his Liverpool debut as early as this weekend when Como are the visitors to Anfield in the last scheduled pre-season friendly for Andoni Iraola's side before facing Newcastle in their Premier League opener.
Shirt number significance
The No33 shirt has been allocated to Araujo at Liverpool, having worn No4 at Barcelona. This shirt number has been vacant at Anfield for over a decade, with Jordon Ibe the last player to wear No33 for the club.
“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,” Araujo explained. “But 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.”
Jonjo Shelvey, Sebastian Leto and Neil Mellor are some of Liverpool's previous incumbents of the No33 in the Premier League era, but Araujo will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez.
Suarez influence
He said: “Of course as a kid I used to watch Luis playing all those fantastic games for Liverpool. We all know what he achieved, the history that he made within this club during his time here. So it's fantastic. From minute one, I've been sort of asked about that kind of comparison since I've arrived here. I get on really well with him, we're quite close. Just a few minutes ago I got a good luck message from him saying all the best, you've joined a great club and all the very best for your time here.”
