Liverpool expand global youth scouting as Brexit shifts English market
Liverpool are casting a wider net for young talent worldwide, using data and scouts to find players like Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe while adapting to post-Brexit rules that make English youth more expensive.
Liverpool have increased their focus on recruiting young players from around the world, reflecting a strategic shift driven by post-Brexit regulations and the need to replenish a talent pool depleted by recent sales. Since 2020, the club have raised over £230m from selling players who came through their youth ranks, a key part of owner Fenway Sports Group's self-sustaining model.
The global talent department, led by Matt Newberry since winter 2024, identifies overseas prospects, supported by dedicated regional scouts and sporting director Julian Ward's network. Alex Inglethorpe, the academy director, told BBC Sport that while the club first looks locally on Merseyside and then nationally at age 14, global recruitment has become a natural extension. He noted that Brexit has created a premium on young English players, making overseas markets more attractive.
One example is Mor Talla Ndiaye, an 18-year-old left-footed centre-back signed from Senegal for about £1m plus add-ons after impressing at the U17 World Cup. Ndiaye has settled with a host family and was an unused substitute in three games last season. Rob Page, Liverpool's U21 boss, described him as a humble player with a bright future but stressed he remains a work in progress.
Liverpool have also secured Ifeanyi Ndukwe, an 18-year-old Austrian centre-back who has joined Levante on loan to obtain a work permit, and Samuel Martinez, a 17-year-old Colombian midfielder arriving next summer. However, Arsenal beat them to Georgian defender Andria Bartishvili. The club confirmed deals for Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans and French forward Djylian N'Guessan, both 18, to join in 2027.
Supporters have reacted with interest to the global approach. Some fans on social media praised the strategy, seeing it as a smart way to compete amid rising costs for English youth, while others expressed caution, noting that young overseas signings often need time to adapt and that not every highly touted prospect fulfils their potential. The club believe their global network and reputation for player development give them an edge in an increasingly competitive market.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
