The Reds’ new arrival is just 16 years of age
Liverpool have today completed the signing of FC Barcelona youth player Bobby Adekanye.
The teenager confirmed his move to Anfield via an image he posted on Social Media site Instagram (above). He has been branded as a ‘wonderkid’ due to internet exposure on websites such as YouTube.
The Nigerian-born left-winger left his native country when he was just four years old, as him and his family moved to the Netherlands capital of Amsterdam.
Growing up and playing football in Amsterdam, Adekanye caught the eye of several scouts and eventually went on to be on the books of the capital’s main club Ajax.
After some good performances in Holland, the La Liga giants Barcelona snapped him up in 2011.
Controversy at Barcelona
However, his move to Barcelona was surrounded by controversy. He was one of five youth intake signings that were banned from playing for Barca, as FIFA deemed they were signed illegally.
This forced Barcelona’s hand and the Dutch under 16’s international spent time on loan at PSV Eindhoven, in order to further develop his game.
Adekanye becomes Liverpool‘s seventh summer signing, following James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogan, Joe Gomez, Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne to Merseyside.
Brendan Rodgers‘ side have also confirmed they will be cancelling the loan of right-back Javier Manquillo earlier than expected, the Spaniard originally joined on a two-year loan deal from Atletico Madrid.
After a disappointing first season and the arrival of Clyne from Southampton, Manquillo is now surplus to requirements.
