Liverpool Agree Second Young Defender Deal with Austria Wien
While Liverpool are unlikely to make any first-team signings during the January transfer window, the club has been actively pursuing young talent for the future. The Premier League champions have now struck their second agreement for a promising young defender this month.
Option Secured for Highly-Rated Austrian Talent
Austria Wien have officially confirmed that Liverpool have secured an option to sign their home-grown talent Ifeanyi Ndukwe during the upcoming summer transfer window. The 17-year-old central defender has been with the Austrian club since the age of seven and has represented all of Austria's youth and academy teams.
The agreement gives Liverpool the right to exercise the option until the end of June 2026, providing the Reds with flexibility in their long-term planning. This follows Liverpool's earlier acquisition of 18-year-old centre-back Mor Talla Ndiaye earlier this month, demonstrating a clear strategy of investing in defensive prospects.
Win-Win Situation for Both Clubs
Michael Wagner, Austria Wien's Sporting Director, described the agreement as a clear win-win situation for both clubs. In an official statement, Wagner explained: "The agreement with Liverpool FC is structured in such a way that Austria Wien will come out well in any scenario, regardless of whether the option is exercised or not."
Wagner added: "It is a great honour that one of the world's best football clubs has shown interest in one of our home-grown players. Above all, this story is a great tribute to the excellent work that is done in our academy every day."
Strategic Focus on Youth Development
The move continues Liverpool's pattern of identifying and securing young talent with high potential, even as manager Arne Slot has indicated that senior signings are unlikely this January. The club significantly backed Slot during the summer transfer window, allowing them to now focus on building for the future.
Austria Wien have revealed they were aware of significant interest in their U17 players, particularly after the team reached the World Cup final. Wagner emphasized their development philosophy: "Basically, our goal is for our talented players to first establish themselves in the first team and thus recommend themselves for higher tasks. In this case, the overall package was a perfect fit for everyone involved."
Ndukwe, described as a tall centre-back, could potentially join fellow young defender Mor Talla Ndiaye at Anfield this summer if Liverpool choose to exercise their option. The Austrian club sees such agreements as part of their strategy to become a springboard for talented players into Europe's top leagues.
