Liverpool to pay Chelsea £2.8m in compensation for Rio Ngumoha | OneFootball

Liverpool will pay Chelsea at least £2.8m after a tribunal ruled on the compensation owed for winger Rio Ngumoha (17) following his move from Stamford Bridge.

The Professional Football Compensation Committee has set the initial fee for the 17-year-old, reflecting the cost of his training and development during his time in Chelsea’s academy. The figure could rise further through performance-related add-ons, while Chelsea are also entitled to 20% of any future profit should Liverpool sell the player, BBC Sport reports.

Ngumoha joined Liverpool in September 2024 after opting to leave Chelsea and signed his first professional contract at Anfield a year later. Highly rated throughout his youth career, the England Under-19 international believed his route to senior football would be clearer on Merseyside, despite Chelsea offering assurances and improved terms to keep him.

The decision already appears vindicated. Ngumoha has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season and announced himself in dramatic fashion by scoring a 100th-minute winner against Newcastle on his Premier League debut. At 16 years and 361 days, he became the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history.

He also became the club’s youngest ever starter in the FA Cup earlier this year. While Liverpool have not disclosed the length of his contract, the tribunal’s ruling underlines the growing value of one of English football’s brightest young talents.

GFN | Finn Entwistle