Rio Ngumoha has signed his first professional contract, tying him to Liverpool until 2028, with the club announcing the deal following his 17th birthday.
Ngumoha, who scored the match-winner at Newcastle and has played four times already this season, turned 17 at the end of August and was therefore eligible to turn his scholarship into a first professional contract.
He joined from Chelsea last summer and the compensation for his switch has still yet to be agreed between the two clubs, with a tribunal expected to determine how much Liverpool will pay.
The teenager made one appearance last season but has already made his value to the first team known with his debut goal at Newcastle and in the weeks since.
Ngumoha is seen as genuine cover to Cody Gakpo on the left wing with Liverpool forgoing any investment in the position as to not block his pathway.
Under a long-established structure at Liverpool’s academy, Ngumoha’s scholarship that he signed last summer earned him £1,200 per month.
He is still expected to be taking home relatively modest wages despite his new contract.
It is in keeping with Liverpool’s policy of keeping their young players motivated by opportunity and not money, which will be a byproduct of their success on the pitch.
He is a prodigious talent and it would not be a surprise to see an improved, extended deal to come next year as the maximum length of a first professional contract is three years.
Ngumoha represents the latest young talent who is not short on confidence that he can make it at the elite level, though Liverpool will continue to manage expectations accordingly after making room for him.
“That’s also the beauty still of football that although we’ve spent a lot – sold a lot as well – there is still room [for Ngumoha],” Slot told reporters last month.
“If we only spend and not sell then there was probably not room for him. But now there is room for him and he can show his qualities.”
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