Liverpool academy striker Taiwo Awoniyi to join NEC Nijmegen on loan

Liverpool’s young striker Taiwo Awoniyi is on the verge of joining NEC Nijmegen on loan, according to reports on Wednesday.

Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo reports that the teenager will move to the Dutch side imminently, as the Reds send another young player out on loan.

Awoniyi joined Liverpool last summer, and was immediately loaned out to FSV Frankfurt, where he only managed one goal in 14 games.

He appeared mainly as a substitute, though, and at just 18 years of age, he is a player still very much developing his game.

It is believed that another loan spell at a European club will help aid the Nigerian in securing a work permit to play for the Reds on his return.

Although a number of German clubs have shown an interest in signing Awoniyi, as well as Hajduk Split and Tondela, NEC seem to have won the race for his signature.

The fact that the Eredivisie club are managed by youth development expert Peter Dyballa may have also played a key role in Awoniyi’s decision, with Dyballa having worked with Jurgen Klopp as U19s coach during their Borussia Dortmund days.

Dyballa led NEC to a 10th-placed finish in last season’s Dutch top flight, and will be hoping to build on this in 2016/17.

Awoniyi’s imminent departure is just the latest in a string of young Liverpool players going out on loan, as Klopp looks to trim down his squad ahead of the new season.

Ryan Kent joined Barnsley on Tuesday evening, while Allan Rodrigues is currently on a week-long trial with Hertha Berlin ahead of a possible term in the Bundesliga.

Ryan Fulton and Danny Ward have also left the club for the season, joining Chesterfield Town and Huddersfield Town, while Jon Flanagan is currently mulling over a move to Burnley.

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