Konate has come far since childhood football games in the cages of La Roquette. Now his journey has taken him to the World Cup — and Spain

Real Madrid confirmed the arrival of defender Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool on Thursday on a four-year deal at the end of his contract at Anfield.

The France international, currently with his nation at the World Cup, was a free agent after not renewing his previous deal at Anfield.