Liverpool youngster James McConnell has sealed a season-long loan move to Ajax, reliable journalist David Ornstein has claimed.
The 20-year-old is one of the most talented young players at Anfield currently, making 13 appearances for the Reds and registering one assist.
It is clear that playing time will be hard to come by for McConnell this season, given the elite quality in Arne Slot’s midfield, so a loan move has always felt sensible at this point in his career.
Now, The Athletic‘s Ornstein has taken to X to say that the Englishman will spend the 2025/26 season on loan at Eredivisie giants Ajax, also signing a new long-term Liverpool deal at the same time:
“EXCL: Liverpool midfielder James McConnell signs new 5yr contract + poised to join Ajax on season-long loan. Coveted 20yo set for medical after Ajax reached agreement with LFC & England youth international to strengthen in No.6 position.”
Perfect loan move for a big talent
This is such an exciting transfer for McConnell, considering Ajax are renowned as one of the great European clubs throughout history.
This should be invaluable experience for the Liverpool youngster, who has been lauded by former Reds Under-21s manager Barry Lewtas, who said of him back in 2023:
“For James to be on the bench at Anfield in the Merseyside derby and then start for us, I thought he did ever so well and took his goal well. He is showing us lots of different things to his game this year, playing as a No.6, scoring headers. It just goes to show what he can do.”
Hopefully, McConnell flourishes for a year at Ajax, earning more minutes than he would have done in a Liverpool shirt, prior to returning to Anfield next summer as a more mature footballer.
It won’t be easy for him to fully make the grade at Anfield, given the aforementioned quality that the Premier League champions possess in the middle of the park, but the fact that he has signed a new contract speaks volumes about his potential.
Seeing how McConnell fares at Ajax is going to be fascinating, and if he plays with the quality he has shown at Liverpool, he could excel.