Liverpool have had one of their busiest windows in years, and the knock on effects are still being felt weeks into the new season.
Andoni Iraola’s rebuild at Anfield has touched almost every department, with fresh faces arriving in defence, midfield and attack as the club looks to reassert itself domestically and in Europe.
The senior squad has understandably dominated the headlines, but there is plenty happening below the surface too, particularly around the club’s academy talent and the representation deals shaping their futures.
With the transfer market still settling and pre season fixtures giving early indications of where Iraola’s plans stand, attention has increasingly turned to the pipeline of young players coming through at Kirkby.
Several academy prospects have been given minutes alongside senior professionals during pre season, part of a deliberate strategy to expose the next generation to first team standards early.
One of those names has now made news off the pitch.
Gersh Football, the agency formed in May 2026 when Hollywood talent giant Gersh, through its You First Football division, acquired the respected UK agency PLG Group, has confirmed the signing of rising Liverpool right back Lewis John Charles.
The announcement came through Gersh Football UK’s Instagram account, which described the move as bringing John Charles into “the Gersh family” and framed it as an exciting step for a player considered one of the more promising defensive prospects in Liverpool’s youth setup.
John Charles, an English right back who can also operate in midfield, has been steadily progressing through Liverpool’s age groups.
He featured for the club’s under 16s in tournaments including the Elite Neon Cup before stepping up to the under 17 and under 18 sides.
During pre season he trained alongside Liverpool’s under 21 squad and, notably, with members of the first team, part of his broader development pathway.
He has not yet made his senior competitive debut, meaning he holds no permanent first team squad number.
At academy level shirt numbers are typically assigned per match rather than fixed for a season.
The signing is significant for Gersh Football’s wider ambitions.
The agency, headquartered in Spain but maintaining a heavily active London base, already represents elite talent including Trent Alexander Arnold, Jarrod Bowen, Fabian Ruiz and Alexia Putellas.
PLG’s roots in the UK market, built under Tyler Alexander Arnold, brother of Trent, give Gersh Football a strong foothold with English talent specifically.
Bringing an academy prospect like John Charles into their stable suggests the agency is not only chasing established stars but also positioning itself early with the next generation of Premier League talent, a long term strategy that could pay dividends as players like John Charles push for first team involvement at Anfield.
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