Liverpool confirms new contract for promising star — 'Buzzing to sign'

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The Reds have announced a new deal for one of their talented underage defenders, who said he has big hopes for the 2026/27 campaign and hopes to push into the U21 squad

DJ Esdaille has signed a first professional contract at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool youngster DJ Esdaille has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The right-back, who joined the Reds at U10 level, has progressed through the various age groups and now plays an important role for Simon Wiles’ U18s. He is yet to feature for the U21s, but has played in the UEFA Youth League this season.

Esdaille has made 11 appearances this term but has not played since mid-February due to injury. Internally, there is a belief at Liverpool that after a disrupted campaign, the 18-year-old will continue his development next season. His pathway into the U21s has also been slightly held up by Calvin Ramsay remaining at the club this season.

An attacking right-back, the scouser will hope to follow in the footsteps of Conor Bradley and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the last decade, who have stepped up from the youth setup.

“Obviously, I’m buzzing to sign for my boyhood club,” Esdaille told Liverpool’s website after the news was confirmed.

“It’s been a long journey, coming in since the age of 10, I came in from grassroots.

DJ Esdaille has signed a first professional contract at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

“The longer and older I’ve got, I’ve progressed very well through the age groups, so it’s been good.

“I haven’t been lucky with injuries but that’s just motivation for the next season coming up. I want to get into the U21s team. I can’t wait for it.”

Esdaille has been capped by England at underage level and becomes the second youth-team player to pen a new deal recently, after Joe Upton signed a first professional contract in March.

Esdaille missed Liverpool U18s’ last outing, as it recovered from conceding two early goals to beat Nottingham Forest 4-3.

As for the U21s, it is set to discover its play-off opponent later this week.

Rob Page’s side last played on March 22, at the conclusion of the regular season.

The Reds will have gone almost a month without a competitive fixture by the time it returns to action, with a play-off against Crystal Palace looking likely.

Liverpool’s youngsters traveled to Paris last week alongside their senior counterparts and took on a PSG side, losing 3-1 in the French capital.