Liverpool sign Ronald Araujo on season-long loan from Barcelona

LIVERPOOL, England — Liverpool have signed Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Spanish La Liga champions Barcelona, the English club announced. The club said the move was intended to reinforce a defense hit by a series of injuries. British media reported that the agreement includes an option to purchase the 27-year-old for around £47 million. Araujo said the process moved quickly once he became aware of Liverpool's interest and that the move was the right decision at this stage of his career. Liverpool began the season with a depleted defensive line. Joe Gomez suffered a muscle injury in the opening preseason match, young defender Giovanni Leoni is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Jeremie Frimpong is also sidelined. The injuries left 35-year-old captain Virgil van Dijk as the only fully fit center-back available.