The Championship has always been a proving ground for players looking to rebuild, reset, or reignite their careers. It’s a brutal, unforgiving league – 46 games of high-tempo, physical football that separates the pretenders from the genuine article. For former Liverpool academy prospects, it can be the perfect stage to show what they’re made of away from the suffocating expectations of Anfield.
Bristol City, a club with ambitions of Premier League promotion, are now reportedly eyeing one former Liverpool man they look to bolster their squad for the second half of the season.
Indeed, Bristol Live are reporting that the Championship side in discussions to bring former academy prospect Ranel Young back to England, months after his surprise departure from Merseyside. It is asserted that the Robins have opened talks with the 19-year-old winger, who was most recently plying his trade in Serbia with FK Ušće. While a deal has not yet been finalized, boss Liam Manning is believed to be keen on adding Young’s pace and versatility to his squad as they look to push on in the second half of the season.
🇷🇸 After turning down a new contract with Liverpool, Ranel Young has a new club.
The 19-year-old has signed for Serbian second-tier club FK Ušće.
The winger from Huddersfield made the bench twice last season for #LFC but is yet to make his senior debut. pic.twitter.com/XU99PEezW6
— English Players Abroad (@EnglishAbroad1) July 25, 2025
Young’s name will be familiar to those who follow the Reds’ youth setup closely. The winger joined Liverpool as a 12-year-old from Huddersfield Town and progressed through the ranks at Kirkby, eventually signing his first professional contract in May 2023. Arne Slot also included him in the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup victory over Brighton in October 2024.
However, in a move that caught many off guard, Young turned down the offer of a new contract at Anfield this past summer. Instead of seeking a loan or a move to another English club, he opted for a switch to the Serbian second tier, joining FK Ušće—a partner club of Red Star Belgrade—in search of regular first-team minutes.
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