Liverpool officially confirm an agreement in principle to sign a highly-rated defender
Liverpool have formally announced that they have reached an agreement in principle to sign highly-rated defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna.
The transfer is still subject to international clearance but represents another calculated move by the Reds as they continue to focus on recruiting top young prospects from across Europe. Liverpool confirmed that Ndukwe will stay in Austria for the rest of the current season before officially joining the club’s U21 side in the summer of 2026.
The teenage centre-back is already regarded as one of Europe’s standout defensive talents. Aged 17, Ndukwe will turn 18 in March, paving the way for his switch to Merseyside.
His rise to prominence came at the 2025 U17 World Cup in Qatar, where he played a crucial role in Austria’s run to the final. Featuring in all but one match, he helped his side finish runners-up to Portugal, while also grabbing headlines with a goal in a dominant 4-0 victory over England.
Those performances attracted strong interest from several elite clubs, including Inter Milan and a number of Bundesliga teams.
At club level, Ndukwe has been a regular for Austria Vienna’s reserve team, the Young Violets, in Austria’s second tier. His blend of calmness on the ball and physical presence has already earned him exposure to the senior setup, with nine appearances on the first-team matchday bench this season.
Despite the excitement surrounding the signing, it is not expected to offer an immediate solution for Arne Slot’s first-team defensive issues. Liverpool’s backline has been under scrutiny, with Virgil van Dijk approaching 35, uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konaté’s contract, and recent setbacks in the transfer market.
The Reds have also been hit by injuries, including a serious issue suffered by summer arrival Giovanni Leoni, alongside a failed move for Marc Guehi. Additional fitness problems have further stretched options at the back, leaving Konaté as Van Dijk’s main partner.
Liverpool continue to be linked with Micky van de Ven, though that pursuit is expected to be revisited in the summer.
With Ndukwe set to begin his Liverpool journey at U21 level, the deal is very much a long-term investment rather than a short-term fix. Valued at around £2.6 million, the transfer underlines the club’s belief that they have secured a future elite defender before his value skyrockets.
For now, however, Liverpool supporters will have to wait patiently to see the much-hyped “Austrian giant” take to the Anfield stage. 👀🔴