Liverpool released seven players from their contracts last summer and now, eight months later, all have found new clubs – with defender Lee Jonas the latest.
Jonas was among the academy cohort either not offered new contracts or who turned down extensions before leaving Liverpool on July 1.
But the centre-back, who has suffered with injury in recent years, has only now found a new home, joining Welsh side Flint Town United on an 18-month deal.
It comes after an extensive trial with the Silkmen, who finished 11th in the Cymru Premier’s regular season and have now entered the playoff conference to determine the two sides to be relegated.
CREWE, ENGLAND - Tuesday, August 27, 2024: Liverpool's Lee Jonas arriving ahead of the Premier League International Cup Group C match between Liverpool FC Under-21's and Crewe Under-21's at the Alexandra Stadium in Crewe. (Photo by Jayde Chamberlain/Propaganda)
Jonas, 21, had previously spent almost a decade with Liverpool having signed from Everton as an U12s player, and at one stage he outshone centre-back partner Jarell Quansah in the U21s.
Now he will look to establish himself as a senior professional having already made his debut in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Cardiff Met – coming off the bench for the final 11 minutes.
“Lee has been training with us now for two or three weeks. He has huge potential and that’s the reason, as a club, we’ve tied him down on an 18-month deal,” manager Lee Fowler told Flint’s official website.
“There’s still work for him to do, but the potential is there in a big way.
“It was clear from the first session that the most important thing I needed to do was get a smile back on his face and get his love back for football.
“Secondly, it was about giving him a place where he can feel at home and feel wanted.
“You tick those two boxes and his natural ability will come out even more, and that’s exactly what it’s done.
“I’m looking forward to working with Lee over the next 18 months and, if he can produce his best abilities, we’ve got a good player on our hands.”
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 24, 2024: Liverpool's Dominic Corness during the Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Liverpool FC Under-21's and Leicester City FC Under-21's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool released six other players last summer with midfielder Dominic Corness the most high-profile of those, and he too landed in Wales with a move to The New Saints.
Goalkeeper Jakub Ojrzynski joined Swedish side Orebro SK while forward Ranel Young made the bold decision to head to Serbia with FK Usce – though he has since moved again to Bristol City.
Defenders Louis Enahoro-Marcus (Leeds) and Harry Evers (Sheffield Wednesday) stayed in the Football League while goalkeeper Reece Trueman signed a deal with non-league Vauxhall Motors.