The bond between Ibrahima Konaté and Kylian Mbappé is set to grow even stronger. Following the conclusion of the World Cup and a short summer hiatus, the two France internationals will reunite at Valdebebas, the prestigious training complex of Real Madrid. The club officially announced the signing of the French defender on Thursday, securing his services after his contract with Liverpool expired in late May. This development has been met with visible enthusiasm from the France captain.

“Five years ago, I arrived here as a young player with many dreams. Today, I leave with memories that will stay with me forever,” Konaté shared. On May 31, as he was joining the squad at Clairefontaine to prepare for the 2026 World Cup with the France national team, the defender confirmed his exit from Liverpool after five seasons on the banks of the Mersey. He expressed that representing the club was a true honor, noting the shared triumphs and the painful loss of their teammate Diogo.

An emotional farewell to the Anfield faithful

“To my teammates, the coaches, the staff, and everyone behind the scenes, thank you for helping me grow day after day. To the fans… thank you for your love, your energy, and your incredible support. Anfield is a truly special place, and playing there was something I never took for granted,” the center-back continued. Konaté expressed regret over not being able to say a proper goodbye during his final match. At 27 years old, the defender has committed to Real Madrid with a four-year contract, keeping him at the club until June 2030.

Kylian Mbappé celebrates the arrival of his new teammate

The formalization of the deal was made public on Thursday through communications from both Real Madrid and the player. On social media, the announcement quickly drew the attention of Kylian Mbappé. Currently competing alongside Konaté in the United States for the World Cup, the France captain welcomed his future club teammate with a warm public message. Mbappé reacted to the news by simply writing “Ibou” followed by a heart emoji, signaling his delight at the prospect of playing with the defender at the club level next season.