Ifeanyi Ndukwe, the centre-back Liverpool announced in January, has reported to the AXA Training Centre for the first time as the academy’s pre-season got underway.
The 18-year-old’s move from Austria Vienna is worth around £2.6 million plus bonuses, and he has now joined Rob Page’s U21s as they began fitness tests on day one of training.
He arrives having recently turned 18, carrying a senior club debut to his name after coming off the bench for Austria Vienna in May.
Ndukwe was pictured at the AXA alongside the likes of Jayden Danns, Amara Nallo, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Josh Sonni-Lambie, Josh Abe, Kaide Gordon, Calvin Ramsay, Lewis Koumas, Calum Scanlon, Luke Chambers and Will Wright.
Liverpool centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe completes his transfer from Austria Vienna. Credit: @as1sports (IG)
Several of the aforementioned players will be expected to link up with Andoni Iraola‘s squad when they report back next week, and others will find a new permanent or temporary home.
For now, they’re in the hands of the club’s medical staff as every player is put through various physical examinations to create a baseline and assess any issues from their time off.
With Virgil van Dijk to report late to pre-season after his World Cup exploits, there is an opportunity for Ndukwe to immediately make an impression alongside Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet.
Standing at 6’5″, the 18-year-old is a right-sided centre-back who possesses considerable pace and confidence on the ball.
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— The LFC Academy (@LFCAcademyX) July 6, 2026
It is also a boost that Danns and Wright were spotted at the AXA, with the duo likely to be given a chance due to a lack of numbers in the senior squad.
Danns struggled with injuries and fitness during the course of last season, and the possibility of a loan move will be assessed as he bids to move up to the senior side.
Iraola’s first wave of players are due to return to the AXA next week, on July 13.