Liverpool Beat Inter Milan to £2.5m Signing of Young Defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe

Liverpool FC have successfully fended off competition from Inter Milan to secure the signature of highly-rated 17-year-old Nigerian defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe for a reported £2.5 million in the January 2026 transfer window.[4]

The Anfield club has been proactive in bolstering their youth ranks, particularly the U21 squad under coach Rob Page, which currently sits 14th in Premier League 2 after a mixed start with four wins and five losses in ten games.[1] Ndukwe, a promising centre-back from Austria Vienna, joins as part of this strategic recruitment drive, forming a talented quartet of young defenders alongside recent arrivals Mor Talla Ndiaye from Amitie FC (signed for £1m), Noah Adekoya from Burnley, and last summer's addition Giovanni Leoni.[1][2][5]

Youth Recruitment Surge

Ndiaye, an 18-year-old Senegalese international who featured in the FIFA U17 World Cup, was snapped up from a club linked to ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba. His former academy praised his discipline and hard work, wishing him success at Anfield.[1] Adekoya, a 19-year-old Merseyside-born talent and former Burnley U18 captain standing at 6'3", announced his move on Instagram, calling it a "full circle" moment after an earlier trial injury setback. He could debut soon against Norwich amid U21 squad needs due to loans and first-team promotions.[2]

This trio addresses long-term defensive planning, with eyes on successors for veterans like Virgil van Dijk and contract situations for Ibrahima Konate.[5] Notably, Liverpool's swift action on Ndukwe outpaced Inter, who recently agreed a €5m deal for Croatian prospect Branimir Mlačić from Hajduk Split—a player the Reds had scouted but missed out on.[3][4]

The signings underscore Liverpool's commitment to youth development under Arne Slot, aiming to build depth for future first-team breakthroughs while navigating a quiet senior window amid injury woes.[1][3]

(Word count: 298)