Liverpool have signed 16-year-old defender Lucas Clarke from Manchester City as part of their bid to strengthen their youth ranks.
The Reds have clearly been busy signing the country's most promising talent in recent years and have poached Clarke from their rivals. The left-sided centre-back will join Liverpool's under-16s squad.
Clarke wrote on Instagram: “Happy to have signed for @liverpoolfc. I can't wait to get started #ynwa”.
In September, Liverpool completed the signing of Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea. The 16-year-old forward had made a big impression at Blauw-Zwart, who had promoted him to Under-21 and offered him a new contract.
But Ngumoha was lured to Merseyside, where he took up the offer of a scholarship, partly because he saw a clearer path to the first team at Liverpool. Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Trey Nyoni are among the young academy graduates who have made the move to Arne Slot's side in recent years, offering hope for those below them.
Slot was hired as Jurgen Klopp's successor, partly due to his history of bringing in youngsters from his previous club Feyenoord. “I like to see good players and whether they are old or young doesn't really matter,” the Dutchman said at his first Liverpool press conference in the summer.
“It is always nice for a club and team that young players come through the ranks. That always gives energy to a club. Ultimately it's all about quality. If they continue to do well, there is a good chance they will play.”
Speaking after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League last month, Slot highlighted the importance of the academy following Conor Bradley's excellent performance. “It's nice for him, his family and us, but also for the academy,” he said. “Not just him… Caoimhin [Kelleher] and Curtis [Jones] were excellent. The fact that three players from the youth academy are doing so well is a great compliment for the youth academy.”
In addition to Ngumoha, Liverpool have recruited Nyoni (Leicester), Amara Nallo (West Ham) and Kornel Misciur (Hull City) from the academies of rival clubs in recent years. Their moves followed the success of Ben Doak, who was signed from Celtic in 2022, Stefan Bajcetic, who joined from Celta Vigo, and Bobby Clark, who joined from Newcastle in 2022 and was sold to Red Bull for £10 million in the summer Salzburg.
James McConnell (Sunderland) and Calum Scanlon (Birmingham City) are among the others who have joined Liverpool from rival academies. The Reds' academy has a good reputation and Clarke will work with U16s coach Lewis Nightingale upon his arrival.
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