Liverpool quietly confirm £200,000 new signing – Liverpool FC

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of striker Will Wright from Salford City, with the new arrival debuting days after his £200,000 transfer went through.

A deal was agreed between Liverpool and League Two side Salford City earlier this week, allowing Wright to undergo and pass a medical.

This Is Anfield understands the transfer is worth upwards of £200,000 and saw the Premier League champions beat Arsenal to his signing despite the London club offering a higher transfer fee and wages.

Wright was convinced to join Liverpool not only as it allowed him and his family to remain in the northwest, but also for the footballing opportunities it presented.

The 17-year-old’s transfer was not formally announced, which is typical of youth signings, but he went straight into Rob Page’s U21s squad.

That brought a first outing at the AXA Training Centre on Saturday, as the young Reds drew 0-0 with Hull in their latest pre-season friendly.

Replacing Keyrol Figueroa for the final 30 minutes, Wright joined Kaide Gordon and Trent Kone-Doherty in attack and went close to a late winner.

It wasn’t to be but it will be considered a productive start for the teenager, who is being fast-tracked through the ranks despite still being eligible for the U18s.

Wright is expected to be a regular starter for Page’s U21s this season, and while there have been no assurances at this stage it is likely that he will be given exposure in first-team training at some stage.

That would follow a trend seen with Liverpool’s more high-profile academy signings of late, with Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha prime examples.

Both were brought in from fellow English sides – Nyoni from Leicester and Ngumoha from Chelsea – and featured for both the U18s and U21s in their first seasons on Merseyside.

But with a clear faith in their ability to step up, Liverpool also afforded chances in senior training at the AXA, and both debuted for the first team in their maiden campaign at the club.

Whether Wright can emulate the pair or follow a steadier path such as with Amara Nallo – sign from West Ham at the same time as Nyoni but yet to establish himself in the senior setup despite opportunities – remains to be seen.

Much will depend on how quickly he settles and how he shows himself in training and games for a new-look U21s side.

But there will be no pressure on the youngster internally, as despite already making his first-team debut for Salford City the transition to Liverpool’s academy will be a step up.