Fabrizio Romano announces “here we go” as Liverpool close in on centre-back signing.

 

 

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Liverpool have secured a transfer agreement to sign Austria Wien’s highly-rated 17-year-old central defender, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, ahead of the 2026 summer window. Romano’s trademark “here we go” suggests the deal is effectively done, even though an official announcement from the clubs is yet to come.

Sharing the news on X (formerly Twitter) yesterday, Romano wrote:

“Liverpool agree deal to sign 17-year-old Austrian centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe for summer 2026, here we go! Agreement in place from July. Austria Wien accepted the proposal, as @AlexHuber81 reported today. Ndukwe, regarded as a huge talent, has agreed to the #LFC project.”

Regarded as a top young prospect, Ndukwe’s move to Liverpool is an exciting signing for fans. While he may not feature regularly in Arne Slot’s first team straight away due to his age and need for experience, the Austrian youth international has already shown significant potential.

Joining Liverpool could be a huge boost for his development, allowing him to train alongside world-class players and coaches. Even if he initially plays sparingly, the Reds are known for giving young talents opportunities to grow.

With Liverpool short on defensive depth, adding Ndukwe could also help the squad long-term, potentially grooming him as a future successor to the ageing Virgil van Dijk. The club may also look to strengthen further at the back, especially with Ibrahima Konate nearing the end of his contract.