Liverpool complete deal for ‘super’ youth talent after Chelsea exit
Liverpool have finalised the signing of 16-year-old youth winger Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea following the completion of the five-step review from the Premier League.
Ngumoha completed his move to the Reds on Wednesday [4 September] after leaving the Cobham academy earlier this summer [This is Anfield].
Fabrizio Romano first broke the news on his X account [8 July] and has since revealed the Reds’ plans for the youngster, again on his X account [5 September].
He said: “Liverpool are convinced they have signed a top, super talent for the future with Rio Ngumoha.
“Impressive proposal was made to reach the agreement after Rio left Chelsea academy.
“Liverpool see Rio as big talent for present and future, part of first team long term project.”
Liverpool excited by the signing of Rio Ngumoha
Ngumoha was regarded as one of the brightest prospects at the Cobham academy and his departure will be a massive blow for Enzo Maresca.
However, after the Carabao Cup final played between the sides last season, in which 19-year-old Conor Bradley started for Liverpool and Jarell Quansah, James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Bobby Clark all featured, can he be blamed for seeing a brighter future with the Reds?
In West London, Todd Boehly has embarked on another frivolous spending spree and Ngumoha may have found 10 players, maybe more, ahead of him in the pecking order at Chelsea.
Arne Slot has been ruthless with his crop of academy talent this summer, and going all-out to add the 15-year-old to the setup at the AXA Training Centre is a positive sign that Liverpool view the youth prospect as a future first team star.
Liverpool have been shrewd with their youth acquisitions since Brexit rules restricted the signings of U18 foreign players. Trey Nyoni has been training with the first team after catching the eye of Slot with impressive performances in pre-season only one year after joining the Reds from Leicester City.
Where Barry Lewtas sees Ngumoha among his setup remains to be seen but it is clear that the Reds have big plans for the winger and he will get his chance to rise through the ranks at Liverpool.
In other Liverpool news, Paul Scholes was blown away by what he saw from the Reds at Old Trafford.
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