Liverpool are to sign young defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe in the summer, but one of his coaches has confessed he would have liked him to put the move off for “another year.”
Ifeanyi Ndukwe to Liverpool: A quick look
• Summer Arrival: Liverpool are set to sign Ifeanyi Ndukwe for £2.6 million plus add-ons. Due to post-Brexit rules, he will officially join in July 2026 once he turns 18.
• World Cup Star: The 6’5” defender was a standout at the U17 World Cup, helping Austria reach the final while conceding just twice in the entire tournament.
• Coach’s Warning: Austria U17 coach Hermann Stadler admitted he wished Ndukwe had stayed in Vienna for “another year” to develop under senior mentors before moving abroad.
As one of three centre-backs Liverpool have made their move for, along with Noah Adekoya and Talla Ndiaye, Ndukwe is just 17 years old but highly rated.
He is currently a part of the Austria Vienna youth setup, but due to post-Brexit regulations, he cannot move to Liverpool until the summer because he is not yet 18 years old.
• READ MORE: Who is Ifeanyi Ndukwe? New Liverpool centre-back – transfer fee, style of play & quotes
At 6’5″, he stood out at the U17 World Cup in November, where he reached the final with Austria and conceded just two goals in the entire tournament.
Ndukwe’s Austria U17s coach, Hermann Stadler, told LAOLA1 that “he has the potential to become a great centre-back,” but wishes he had delayed his move to Liverpool.
“I am very happy for Ify; he deserves it,” said the coach.
“He has made a huge step forward in the last year, delivering a top performance in every game at the World Cup.”
“He received this offer from Liverpool partly because of the World Cup. He had also previously received an offer from Inter Milan, which, for whatever reason, was not finalised.”
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Friday, December 15, 2017: Liverpool's Under-18 manager Steven Gerrard watches with former player Steve McManaman and Academy Director Alex Inglethorpe during the Under-23 FA Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Liverpool and Swansea City at the Kirkby Academy. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ndukwe has already completed a medical and LAOLA1 reports he will cost Liverpool £2.6 million plus add-ons, with Austria Vienna also expected to include a sell-on clause.
Stadler continued: “I’m very happy that he’s signed with a top club.
“Personally, I think another year in Austria would have done him good. An experienced player like [Aleksandar] Dragovic could have mentored him there, and then maybe he could have gone abroad at 18 or 19.
“He has no guarantee that he’ll make it big, neither with Austria nor at Liverpool. We’ll know more in two or three years, but I believe he has the potential to become a great centre-back.”
Who is Ifeanyi Ndukwe? A brief look
Ndukwe is a right-sided centre-back who is remarkably tall for his age at 6’5″, but still possesses considerable pace which aids him in recovery.
From exploring his highlights while playing for Austria’s youth teams, Ndukwe appears to be a front-footed defender who prefers to snuff out attacks before they develop.
He also possesses a strong passing range, including pinpoint long balls with his natural right foot, which has drawn comparisons to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Austria Vienna U21s manager Max Uhlig on Ifeanyi Ndukwe (Laola1):
“It’s remarkable how clear-headed he already is.
“A lot has happened to him in the last year. It’s all gone very quickly, but I don’t get the feeling that it’s weighing on him or that he thinks he’s some kind of super great guy.
“He’s always the same, very down-to-earth.”