Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool FC have officially announced that James McConnell has signed a new long term contract and will spend the 2026/26 campaign on loan at Ajax.
It is believed that the Reds have received €1.5m (£1.2m) from the loan.
He joined Liverpool from Sunderland at the under-15 level, has steadily climbed the ranks to make 13 senior appearances, featuring in the Europa League, FA Cup and earning a Champions League debut at PSV Eindhoven in January 2025
McConnell made his competitive debut under Jürgen Klopp, coming off the bench in a Europa League victory against Toulouse at Anfield in October 2023.
Arne Slot is believed to rate him very highly.
A Liverpool statement read:
“James McConnell has joined Ajax on loan for the rest of 2025-26 after signing a new long-term contract with Liverpool FC.”
“The midfielder links up with the Eredivisie club to gain further senior experience this season, reuniting with former Reds coach John Heitinga, now in charge of Ajax, and goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros, also on loan in Amsterdam.”
Another young midfielder who followed the same route is Luca Stephenson, who is on loan at Dundee for the season after signing a new deal of his own.
Meanwhile, one loan that has not worked is Isaac Mayaba’s switch to Wigan Athletic.
The 20-year-old suffered a devastating Achilles injury sustained just 29 minutes into his full debut against Notts County in the Carabao Cup.
And Latics manager Ryan Lowe feels Liverpool should cut the loan deal short without any financial implications for his side:
“We will have a loan space, it will get cancelled…we’re just waiting on Liverpool to do us a favour, like they probably should, in all honesty,” Lowe said.
“The kid played one game for us, and if the loan becomes not feasible, and we can cancel it, I’m sure a football club like Liverpool will hopefully do us a good deal on that. Because it’s not fair on us, and it’s not fair on the kid.”
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.