Liverpool have completed the transfer of teenage defender Dara Jikiemi from Celtic this summer.
The Scotland youth international has signed a five-year deal to bolster the youth ranks immediately, having put pen to paper already.
How Liverpool Won the Race for Dara Jikiemi
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Jikiemi has finally made the move to Liverpool after months of scouting, as the Reds have had him on their radar since 2025.
The 16-year-old was meant to move to Anfield in December 2025, but an agreement could not be found between Liverpool and Celtic, and he stayed back for a few more months.
Liverpool will have Jikiemi bolster the ranks of their U-18 squad, with coach Simon Wiles to be responsible for nurturing him immediately he arrives.
Why Dara Jikiemi Chose Liverpool
Dara Jikiemi has chosen to place his faith in the project at Liverpool over the one he was involved with in Celtic, where he was a regular in their youth sides.
The level of trust shown in the youngster can be seen by the five-year contract given to him, a rarity for a player that young.
The Reds have shown a greater willingness to integrate young players than other top English sides in recent years, and this would have played a role in the decision of the Scotland U-16 captain.
They have signed both Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet directly for the first-team in the last year. They have also signed youngsters Mor Talla Ndiaye, Noah Adekoya, and Ifeanyi Ndukwe to bolster their youth ranks.
Jikiemi would have, no doubt, seen the progression of players like Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni, both of whom made their debuts for the club aged 16, a little while after moving to the club.
How Dara Jikiemi Fits Liverpool's Academy Vision
Liverpool are not new to signing young players from Celtic, having done the same in the past with Ben Gannon-Doak.
They spent £600,000 on the winger in 2022 before selling him to Bournemouth last summer for up to £25 million.
Like with Gannon-Doak, Jikiemi's technical ability and football IQ stands out, making him a unique prospect for the club.
Jikiemi is an aggressive centre-back who is comfortable playing with the ball at his feet.
The teenager is also comfortable stepping into the midfield of a need arises during games, and this level of tactical proficiency has made him attractive to the Anfield bosses.
This signing is in perfect order with the strategy employed by Liverpool's owners of signing the best young talents just before they break out of academy football.
They have done it successfully with Ngumoha and Nyoni, and will hope for the same level of success now with Jikiemi.
