Liverpool Secures Young Talent Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna

omidbasir- Liverpool FC has officially announced a deal in principle to sign Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna, pending international clearance. The Austrian-born defender, who will turn 18 in March, is set to join Liverpool’s U21 squad this summer. Ndukwe has represented his country at various youth levels, notably participating in all but one match at the 2025 U17 World Cup, where his team finished as runners-up. He has also been a regular player for the reserve side of Austria Vienna and has been included in their senior matchday squad nine times this season.

Austria Vienna’s sporting director, Michael Wagner, expressed enthusiasm regarding the agreement. In a statement to the club’s media, he remarked, “It is a great honor that one of the world’s top football clubs has shown interest in one of our home-grown talents. The arrangement with Liverpool FC ensures that Austria Vienna will benefit regardless of whether the option is exercised. For me, this represents a clear win-win situation for both clubs. This development is a testament to the exceptional work being done in our academy. We have numerous players with immense potential, and we aim to further nurture this talent to serve as a springboard for aspiring athletes into Europe’s elite leagues. Our primary objective is for our talented players to establish themselves within the first team and subsequently seek greater opportunities. In this instance, the overall agreement – encompassing Liverpool FC’s offer and the prospects for Ifeanyi Ndukwe – is an ideal match for all parties involved.”

Liverpool has been actively focusing on enhancing their academy by acquiring promising young players, as reported by The Athletic. Ndukwe drew attention during the Under-17s World Cup held in Qatar in November, and the club is expected to invest approximately £2.5 million in securing his services. The defender played a crucial role in helping Austria reach the final, where they were ultimately defeated by Portugal. Initially, Ndukwe will integrate into Rob Page’s under-21 development team, with aspirations of progressing to the first team in the future. The defensive lineup is a concern for manager Arne Slot, particularly with Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson both out of contract this summer, and 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk nearing the latter stages of his career.

Ndukwe will complete the current season with Austria Vienna before transitioning to Anfield at the season’s end. Liverpool is anticipated to pursue additional defenders during the summer transfer window to fortify their backline after previously missing out on Marc Guehi.