Liverpool have completed the signing of Celtic’s 16-year-old centre-back Dara Jikiemi after paperwork was signed over the weekend.
Liverpool continue to invest in signing young defenders with Jikiemi to join Mor Talla Ndiaye, Noah Adekoya and Ifeanyi Ndukwe as teenage reinforcements for the academy.
Jikiemi was linked with a move to the club in December, but with terms not agreed with Celtic, the deal was left to be concluded in the summer.
And transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has stated on X that Liverpool have now “sealed [the] deal” for the 16-year-old, with the paperwork signed on Sunday.
Romano states that he has agreed to a five-year contract, this will initially be on scholarship terms. He is then eligible to sign his first professional contract upon turning 17 in January 2027.
He is anticipated to first join Simon Wiles’ U18s squad for pre-season before being assessed ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The teenager did not break into Celtic’s first-team squad prior to his departure, but was initially playing three years above his age group as part of their U18s side.
Who is Liverpool signing Dara Jikiemi?
Full Name: Olamilekan JikiemiAge: 16 (January 9, 2010)Birthplace: Scotland
Club: CelticPosition: Centre-back (R)Foot: Right
Jikiemi, who can also step into midfield, has captained Scotland U15s and U16s and is described as an aggressive, ball-playing centre-back.
He now follows the path of Ben Gannon-Doak, who swapped Celtic for Liverpool in 2022 in a deal worth £600,000.
The Scottish club will receive training compensation following the move, but, as per the Glasgow Times, “it will be less because it is a cross-border transfer.”
Liverpool’s latest academy transfers
In addition to Jikiemi, Liverpool recently signed 16-year-old goalkeeper Noah Evans on a scholarship deal from Burnley.
The Reds have deals already lined up for attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez and striker Michael Mulholland.
The club are also pursuing goalkeeper Zach Trinder from Wolves, Man City midfielder Xavier Parker, 16, Everton winger Josh Chigwada, 14, and Shamrock Rovers forward Joshua Holme, 14.