Report: Liverpool To Sign 21 Year Old Ecuadorian CB | OneFootball

Joel Ordóñez Set for Liverpool Switch as Strategic Vision Wins Out

Liverpool are edging closer to completing the signing of Joel Ordóñez, with the Ecuadorian defender now just a signature away from sealing a move to Anfield. As first reported by Expreso, the Reds have won a competitive race that included Chelsea and Inter Milan, underlining the pull of Liverpool’s long term sporting project.

The 21 year old centre back represents a deliberate recruitment choice rather than a reactive market move. Liverpool’s hierarchy see Ordóñez as a defender shaped for modern elite football, combining physical power with composure and a clear upward trajectory. It is understood that the “sporting project at Anfield Road tipped the scales”, a line that neatly captures why Liverpool emerged ahead of their rivals.

Photo: IMAGO

Profile of a Defender Who Worked Quietly

Ordóñez’s rise has been steady rather than explosive. Having developed his reputation at Club Brugge, he has drawn attention for “his consistency, defensive solidity, and steady improvement”. Liverpool’s recruitment team have tracked him closely, believing he fits the club’s evolving profile focused on youth, power, and resale potential in the Premier League.

This aligns with a wider strategy that values defenders comfortable under pressure and capable of adapting to the league often described as “the most demanding league in the world”. Ordóñez has not sought headlines, but his performances have ensured they eventually arrived.

Financial Leap Reflects Growing Status

The move to England also marks a significant financial step. According to Expreso, Ordóñez’s salary “will place him among the highest paid Ecuadorian footballers in Europe”. While Mohamed Salah remains Liverpool’s top earner at close to two million dollars per month, Ordóñez is expected to earn around seven million dollars a year before bonuses.

That figure situates him above several established internationals, reflecting Liverpool’s belief in his long term value. Comparisons are already being drawn with other young players at the club, such as Szoboszlai, Frimpong, and Chiesa, who reportedly earn between 506,000 and 800,000 dollars annually.

Deal Close as Edwards Oversees Final Details

Sources cited by Expreso state that “Michael Edwards has been appointed as Liverpool’s official liaison to finalize the deal with Club Brugge”. With principal terms agreed, only final details and medical examinations remain before completion.

Ordóñez now prepares to “leave Belgium and land in the elite of European football”. For Ecuador, it marks another presence in the Premier League, reinforcing the sense that this generation “no longer asks for permission”.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this move feels quietly significant rather than headline grabbing. Ordóñez is not arriving with global star status, but that has rarely been a problem at Anfield. Virgil van Dijk arrived as a solution rather than a gamble, while Ibrahima Konaté was viewed as potential rather than certainty. Ordóñez seems to sit closer to the latter, a player bought with development firmly in mind.

What stands out is the confidence shown in both sporting and financial terms. A projected seven million dollars per year salary suggests Liverpool expect him to play, not to learn from the sidelines. That carries risk, but also ambition.