Liverpool have been linked with a move for a highly-rated Celtic prospectplaceholder image
Liverpool have been linked with a move for a highly-rated Celtic prospect | Getty Images
The midfielder spent the first half of the season on loan at Ajax.
Liverpool have confirmed that James McConnell has returned to the club.
The midfielder is officially back from Ajax, with his loan spell ending. McConnell returned to Merseyside several weeks ago, having fallen out of the Dutch giants’ plans.
The 21-year-old joined Ajax in the summer and reunited with former Liverpool first-team coach Johnny Heitinga, who was appointed head coach of the Amsterdam-based outfit. However, McConnell struggled for fitness and lost a key ally when Heitinga was sacked in November. Fred Grim was appointed caretaker boss but did not regard McConnell part of his plans. The former Sunderland youngster made just seven appearances in all competitions.
An Ajax statement said: “Ajax, James McConnell and Liverpool FC have reached [an] agreement on the formal termination of the player's loan agreement. The administrative handling of this has been completed; the player himself had already not been part of Ajax’s selection since early January.
“The contract of the 21-year-old defensive midfielder at Ajax originally ran until the end of the current season. McConnell (September 13, 2004, Newcastle) was on loan from the reigning champions of England. In total, he made seven official appearances for Ajax's first team.”
A Liverpool statement said: “James McConnell has returned to Liverpool from his loan spell at AFC Ajax. The midfielder joined the Eredivisie side last August and made seven appearances in all competitions. He is now back at the AXA Training Centre with the Reds after the temporary deal with Ajax was ended.”
McConnell has attracted interest from Championship sides. They include Swansea City, whose head coach Vitor Matos was part of Jurgen Klopp’s backroom staff at Liverpool. However, McConnell is expected to remain at Anfield.
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