Liverpool have completed the signing of Netherlands youth international Ki-Jana Hoever from Ajax after they had agreed a deal to sign the 16-year-old earlier in the summer.
Hoever was granted international clearance on Thursday and the right-back, who can also play at centre-back, is now free to play competitively for the club.
“It’s great for him. He’s a good boy,” Liverpool under-18s coach Barry Lewtas said. “They’re young lads, they just want to play.
“I spoke to him this morning and he’s over the moon that he’s now available. His journey begins now because he can train and try and force his way into the team. It’s really exciting for us.
“He’s just been away with the national team and played right-back, but he’s played centre-back too. He’s got a load of real positive attributes. I don’t want to sell him too much.
“Ajax is a big club and he comes in with a big reputation as he’s an international. But I certainly don’t want to heap too much pressure on him.
“He’s early in his journey here, he’ll take some time to adapt. What I can say is that he’s trained really well and I know he’s going to fit in really well.”
Hoever is eligible to play in Liverpool’s UEFA Youth League campaign, which begins on Tuesday afternoon against Paris Saint-Germain in St. Helens.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle, 20, has completed a switch to Liverpool from Barnet.
The 6-foot-7 shot-stopper, who has represented Guyana at international level, has signed a contract at Liverpool following a successful trial period with the U23s in the summer.