Liverpool has successfully signed highly-rated teenage forward Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea, with the Premier League granting final approval on Wednesday.
The move was finalised after Liverpool completed the league’s five-step review process, a standard requirement for young players transferring between two category-one academies.
Rio Ngumoha Adigun, a promising England youth international of Nigerian descent, had decided in July to depart Chelsea in favour of a move to Liverpool. However, he could not feature for the club until the deal received official clearance.
The 16-year-old forward, who has signed a standard scholar’s contract, will initially join Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s under-18 squad. He could make his first appearance for the team in their upcoming fixture against Blackburn Rovers on 14 September.
While the transfer has been approved, compensation for training and development costs between the two clubs remains unresolved. A tribunal is likely to determine the final compensation amount.
Ngumoha’s decision to join Liverpool is believed to have been influenced by the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent, with players like Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, and Trey Nyoni serving as recent examples.
Liverpool view Ngumoha’s arrival as a significant acquisition, recognising his immense talent and potential. Last October, he was named player of the tournament when Chelsea’s Under-16s claimed the national championship, and his impressive progress earned him a debut for Chelsea’s Under-21s in January.