Huge development as Richard Hughes secures deal for forward | OneFootball

Liverpool has become renowned as one of the finest finishing schools for young talent around.

The progress made by Rio Ngumoha - and to a lesser extent Trey Nyoni - pays testament to that. Both are well established in and around the outgoing Premier League champions’ first-team squad with Ngumoha, 17, recently making his England debut.

The danger for the club around underage talents is that they can end up being lured away before securing professional deals. A move for Vincent Joseph - for example - has now been mooted and Liverpool will be devastated to lose him.

But they have managed to secure what has been described as a “huge development” in tying down Joshua Abe to his scholar deal.

Joshua Abe deal is a huge development

Abe, 15, has been with Liverpool since the age of 4 - progressing steadily through the age groups. Last season he even made it to UEFA Youth League level - as well as featuring prominently for the club’s Under-18 Premier League side.

The winger’s injury suffered in March ended his season early - leading to fears he’d been seen in a Liverpool shirt for the final time.

Real Madrid rolled out the red carpet for the England U16 international while Manchester City’s interest was deemed the strongest among all top-flight clubs.

Liverpool however won the race for Abe - who has already spent time in and around the club’s first-team ranks. And now the Liverpool Echo is reporting that Abe’s signature is a massive boost for the Reds.

Joshua Abe set for place on preseason tour

“Liverpool's ability to fend off interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United for Joshua Abe has been viewed as a huge development,” the report reads.

Once he fully recovers from his leg injury it would appear that Abe will be integrated into the first-team setup.

With so many senior players out of the start of preseason owing to their participation at the ongoing FIFA World Cup he will be given a chance to stake his claim over the summer months.

“Liverpool have now allocated a senior squad number for Abe, meaning the teenager will wear the No.40 during the Reds' pre-season tour of the United States this summer.

“It's a huge opportunity for Abe to acquaint himself with the first-team setup.” Ngumoha debuted for the seniors aged only 16 and with Abe due to celebrate his birthday next month he could soon follow suit.