FOOTBALL
By Eishna Rawat
Posted on July 3, 2026 4:00 pm | Updated on July 3, 2026 12:36 pm Liverpool academy graduate Luca Stephenson is finalising a permanent move to Bolton Wanderers this summer.
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Luca Stephenson is closing in on a fresh start away from Anfield. The academy graduate looks set to complete a permanent transfer to Bolton Wanderers this week. The latest news out of Liverpool confirms his medical is now close. It marks the end of a long stay at the club.
Luca Stephenson Nears a Permanent Bolton Move
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the Reds have permitted Luca Stephenson to leave. The move follows two loan spells in Scotland, and it now looks close to completion. A permanent deal with Bolton Wanderers is now in place, reportedly worth around £700,000. Steven Schumacher, who once played as a midfielder for Everton, is now in charge of Bolton. Under him, the club returned to the Championship last term by winning the play-offs, thrashing Stockport County 4-1 at Wembley.
Luca Stephenson barely featured for the first team over the past two seasons. He trained with the group before both pre-season campaigns, yet a senior appearance never came. That lack of game time, more than any dip in form, pushed him to look elsewhere. He needs regular football now, and Bolton can provide it.
Before that, the young wing-back rose through the youth ranks quickly. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, he captained the Under-18 side and played in the UEFA Youth League. In two seasons at Dundee United, he made 67 appearances. He also provided eight goals and seven assists from right wing-back. Those years shaped him into a calm, all-round player who can play across midfield and defence.
Luca Stephenson for Dundee United in 2025/26, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists
Premiership 29 5 5
League Cup 1 0 0
Scottish Cup 3 0 0
Why Liverpool Are Ready to Let Luca Stephenson Go
Liverpool’s decision to allow this exit makes sense on paper. The squad already has plenty of options in wide and midfield areas under Andoni Iraola. Breaking into a squad like that was always going to be hard. Academy prospects are often moved on once regular football looks unlikely at Anfield, and this is simply the latest example.
Loan spells at Barrow and then Dundee United revealed his ceiling clearly. As reported by Football Insider, his numbers last season stood up well. He contributed goals and assists, and his defensive work rate stood out too. Rangers and Celtic were even linked with a move earlier in the year, according to the same outlet. That reflects how highly he was rated north of the border.
A sell-on clause is reportedly included in the deal too. That means Liverpool retain a stake in his progress rather than a clean break. It is sound business for a club that has followed this pattern before. It also leaves the door open, should he outgrow the Championship one day.
What Bolton Get in Their New Signing
For Bolton, this signing continues a clear trend. Steven Schumacher’s side have already turned to Merseyside talent this summer. As reported by Liverpool.com, former Liverpool defender Ben Davies arrived earlier in the window. More new signings now look likely as pre-season approaches.
Luca Stephenson’s range is a key factor in the deal. He can play across central midfield or fill in as a right wing-back. Being able to cover both roles gives the Trotters options few Championship squads have this early. It could prove decisive over a long season with plenty of matches.
Should he settle quickly, bigger interest could follow. There is no reason he could not eventually attract Premier League interest in the future. Several academy products have managed exactly that before him. For now, regular senior football matters more than any late return to Anfield.
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Eishna Rawat
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