16-year-old forward Rio Ngumoha confirmed yesterday on social media platform Instagram that he has left Chelsea to complete a move to Liverpool.
The highly-rated attacker has joined the Reds under-18s, snubbing a scholarship offered by the Blues to switch to the Merseyside club, with the offer of a guaranteed pathway to the first-team playing a key role in his decision.
There was a delay in Ngumoha officially joining Liverpool as the Premier League needed to get a green light from Chelsea to approve the move, and the Blues are now eligible for compensation from the Reds.
Chelsea academy coach and former captain John Terry has been impressed with the performances of the attacking sensation, taking to the comment section of Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano to react to him joining Liverpool.
The Blues are upset over losing Ngumoha, but he will now line up for one of their rivals and is expected to join Marc Bridge-Wilkinson-led under18s at the Liverpool academy in Kirkby.
The English kid boasts plenty of experience having played for Chelsea at under-21 and under-18 levels, and he could be knocking on the door of the Liverpool first-team sooner or later.
Manager Arne Slot will be keeping tabs on the youth players and could hand Ngumoha the chance to start training with the big boys if he impresses.
The Liverpool under-18s face their Blackburn Rovers counterparts at home on September 14 in their fourth game of the 2024-25 campaign, and Ngumoha could make his debut alongside fellow summer arrival Alvin Ayman.
The forward will be looking to help them to their first victory of the season after three losses in their opening three games left them in 12th place in the 13-team North division of the table.
