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Liverpool confirm midfielder’s exit after 16 years with transfer clause agreed

BRADFORD, ENGLAND - Tuesday, December 5, 2023: Liverpool's Tommy Pilling looks dejected after the English Football League Trophy Round of 32 match between Bradford City AFC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at Valley Parade. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Propaganda)

Liverpool have confirmed the departure of long-serving academy midfielder Tommy Pilling, who joins Slovakian side MFK Zemplin Michalovce after 16 years.

Pilling first joined Liverpool aged five and progressed through the ranks as a versatile, eye-catching attacking midfielder.

Having trained alongside the first team on a number of occasions this was viewed as a pivotal summer for a player who turns 22 in September.

That has led him to join Michalovce on a permanent deal, with Pilling signing a three-year contract as he makes the step up to senior football.

This Is Anfield understands Liverpool agreed to waive any up-front fee with appearance and performance-based add-ons negotiated into the deal along with a sell-on clause.

BURTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Liverpool's Tommy Pilling during the English Football League Trophy Northern Group H match between Burton Albion FC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at The Burton Albion FC Stadium. Burton won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

St Helens-born Pilling is not the first Englishman at Michalovce, as he joins Ben Cottrell, Kido Taylor-Hart and Kai Brosnan in Anton Soltis’ squad.

“First I received a message from an unknown number saying that MFK Zemplin was interested in my services and was ready with an offer,” Pilling revealed after completing his switch to the Slovak Super Liga.

“I immediately started researching information about the club.”

He added: “There is a good background here and a really good chance to improve. That is exactly the goal I came here with.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, November 3, 2025: Liverpool's Tommy Pilling during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“I want to improve as a player and a person and make the most of this opportunity. I am excited about this challenge.”

Michalovce finished fifth in last season’s Slovak Super Liga and kicked off the new campaign with a 2-0 loss to FK Zeleziarne Podbrezova last weekend.

After 16 years at Liverpool it is a bold move for Pilling, who is the sixth player to leave the academy this summer on either a permanent or loan deal.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Luca Stephenson during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Luca Stephenson was sold to Bolton for £700,000 while Carter Pinnington joined West Brom on similar terms to Pilling’s transfer to Michalovce.

Armin Pecsi (TSV Hartberg), Amara Nallo (HJK Helsinki) and Kyle Kelly (Forest Green Rovers) have also headed out on loan.

Further moves are expected in the coming weeks, with 19-year-old striker Keyrol Figueroa among those likely to depart on a temporary basis.

Pilling made 23 appearances for Liverpool U21s last season, with three goals and two assists, while he made the first-team bench on two occasions in the Carabao Cup.

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