A general view of a Liverpool corner flag inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 04, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)placeholder image
A general view of a Liverpool corner flag inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 04, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool have agreed a deal to recruit the teenager.
Austria under-18s boss Hermann Stadler reckons that Ifeanyi Ndukwe could be taking a risk moving to Liverpool so soon.
The Reds are poised to sign Ndukwe from Austria Wien at the end of the season. Brexit rules mean that the centre-back cannot join Liverpool until he turns 18. He will, therefore, move to Anfield for pre-season ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Ndukwe, a towering 6ft6in defender, helped Austria under-17s reach the World Cup final last year, only to be beaten 1-0 by their Portuguese counterparts. The teenager has been on the bench several times for Austria Wien, although he’s still to make a first-team debut.
Ndukwe was wanted by several clubs, with Serie A giants Inter Milan keen. Ndukwe opted for Liverpool, although Stadler has hesitations about whether the fledgling centre-half should have stayed in his homeland for longer.
Via Kronen Zeitung, Stadler said: “He’s developed superbly and will go far. I would have liked to see him play in Austria for another year. In two or three years, we’ll see if it was the right move.”
Ndukwe looks set to become the third teenage defender who Liverpool will sign. This month, they have recruited Mor Talla Ndiaye from Senegalese side Amitie FC for around £1 million. The 18-year-old will start with the Reds’ under-21s.
In addition, Liverpool signed Noah Adekoya from Premier League rivals Burnley. The 19-year-old captained the Clarets’ under-18s last season and was raised in Liverpool. Adekoya went on trial with his boyhood club in 2018 but an injury ended a chance of earning a contract.
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