Liverpool have completed the signing of Austrian youth international Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna for a fee of around €3 million, however the defender will be ineligible to play for the club in the upcoming Premier League season. The news comes after Joe Gomez sustained an injury during a pre-season friendly against Sunderland, further highlighting Liverpool’s need for defensive reinforcements.
Ndukwe, who impressed at the under-17 World Cup, joined the Reds in January but is currently unable to obtain a work permit due to post-Brexit regulations. The rules stipulate that players without UK or Irish nationality must accumulate enough points through professional appearances and international caps to qualify, a threshold Ndukwe has not yet met playing primarily for Austria Vienna’s reserve team.
The 6 foot 6 inch defender showcased his potential alongside fellow 18-year-old Mor Talla Ndiaye in the recent friendly, forming a rookie central defensive partnership after Gomez’s injury and the absences of Virgil van Dijk, still recovering from the 2026 World Cup, and the injured Giovanni Leoni. While Ndukwe’s performance was encouraging, Liverpool will need to loan him to a club in a top European division, or one participating in UEFA competitions, to allow him to accrue the necessary points for a work permit.
Liverpool utilised one of their limited ESC (Elite Significant Contribution) spots to secure Ndiaye’s registration, who arrived from Amitie for just over €1 million. The club may choose not to use a similar exception for Ndukwe, preserving it for potential future signings. The situation underscores the challenges clubs face navigating post-Brexit regulations when recruiting young talent from outside the UK and Ireland.
Beyond Ndukwe and Jacquet, whose arrival was agreed prior to the window, Liverpool have only signed winger Victor Munoz this summer. The club is currently prioritising finding a replacement for Mohamed Salah, with Bradley Barcola among the potential candidates. The departures of Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson on free transfers have further compounded the need for squad strengthening, leaving Gomez and Van Dijk as the only senior defenders over the age of 25 in Andoni Iraola’s squad. Addressing the defensive vulnerabilities has become increasingly urgent with the Premier League season opener against Newcastle United on 23 August fast approaching.
