Ovie Ejaria was once regarded as one of Liverpool's most promising young talents. Now 28, he is using LinkedIn to search for his next football opportunity.
Football careers rarely follow a straight line. For young players who break into a Premier League first team, however, expectations can quickly rise that they will go on to become established stars.
Ovie Ejaria was once viewed as one of those players.
The midfielder joined Liverpool from Arsenal's academy in 2014 and worked his way through the Reds' youth system before Jurgen Klopp handed him his senior debut against Derby County in the League Cup in September 2016.
Almost a decade later, Ejaria's career looks very different.
Now 28 and without a club, the former Liverpool, Rangers and Reading midfielder has taken an unconventional route in his search for his next opportunity, LinkedIn.
Ovie Ejaria’s Liverpool Breakthrough Under Jurgen Klopp
Ejaria arrived at Liverpool as a highly regarded youngster after leaving Arsenal, and his development quickly caught the attention of Klopp.
In September 2016, he was named among the substitutes for the Premier League meeting with Chelsea before making his competitive debut four days later against Derby County.
With Liverpool leading Derby County 3-0 in the EFL Cup, Klopp brought the 18-year-old on for Roberto Firmino in the 77th minute.
It appeared to be the beginning of an exciting journey.
Liverpool's academy staff were impressed by his progress, with the club highlighting his development and his performances at youth level.
Ejaria made eight senior appearances for Liverpool during the 2016/17 campaign, including two Premier League appearances.
For a teenager breaking into one of England's biggest clubs, the future appeared bright.
Ovie Ejaria’s Loan Spells and Search for First-Team Football
The next stage of Ejaria's development saw him move away from Anfield in search of consistent first-team football.
He spent time on loan at Sunderland before joining Rangers, where he worked under Steven Gerrard.
Reading eventually became a more permanent home.
After an initial loan spell, Ejaria returned to the Championship club in 2019 before completing a permanent move in 2020. Liverpool confirmed that he had made 39 appearances for Reading during the 2019/20 campaign, scoring three goals.
The move appeared to give Ejaria the platform he needed to establish himself.
Injuries then disrupted his progress.
After several seasons with Reading, his time at the club came to an end, leaving the midfielder without a clear next step.
Ovie Ejaria’s La Liga Move With Real Oviedo
That opportunity eventually arrived in Spain.
In 2025, Ejaria joined Real Oviedo on a two-year contract after impressing during a trial with the club.
It offered Ejaria a chance to return to top-flight football and revive his career.
Ejaria made his La Liga debut against Real Madrid in August 2025 and was involved in eight league appearances across the campaign.
He also featured against some of Spanish football's biggest sides, including Atlético Madrid.
However, opportunities were limited.
According to Opta's career data, Ejaria played 196 minutes across his eight La Liga appearances during the 2025/26 season, starting only twice.
Oviedo's relegation brought another chapter of Ejaria's career to an end.
Ovie Ejaria Turns to LinkedIn in Search of a New Club
And that brings Ejaria to where he is today.
With the summer transfer window now closed, the 28-year-old is a free agent and has publicly outlined his search for a new club on LinkedIn.
Rather than waiting for an opportunity to appear, Ejaria has used LinkedIn to put his availability directly in front of potential clubs.
He describes himself as a central midfielder capable of playing as a No. 6, No. 8 or No. 10, while also offering the option of playing on the left wing.
His career includes spells with Liverpool, Sunderland, Rangers, Reading and Real Oviedo, as well as experience in the Premier League, Championship, Scottish football and La Liga.
It's an unusual way for a professional footballer to look for his next club. But there is also something refreshing about the approach.
Football can be an industry where players quickly fall out of the spotlight once they are no longer at the highest level.
Ejaria's post is a reminder that behind the academy hype and professional contracts is a player still searching for the right environment to continue his career.
What Could Be Next for Ovie Ejaria?
Ejaria's career hasn't followed the path many expected when he made his Liverpool debut at 18.
There have been major clubs, loan moves, injuries, periods without a team and a return to top-flight football in Spain.
Yet at 28, his career is far from over.
His ability to play several midfield roles, combined with experience across different leagues, could make him an attractive option for a club seeking depth and experience.
His LinkedIn post might not be the traditional way to find a football club.
But perhaps that is exactly what makes it so interesting.
For a player who was once being introduced to Premier League football by Jürgen Klopp, Ejaria is now taking control of his own search for the next opportunity.
The next chapter may not be the one expected when he broke through at Liverpool, but it could still be an important one in his career.