Who is Ifeanyi Ndukwe? Top talent has 'chosen Liverpool' for January transfer

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Liverpool is hopeful of signing Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Wien after he was identified as a top prospect by the Reds' director of global talent Matt Newbury

Ifeanyi Ndukwe looks set to join Liverpool(Image: 2025 FIFA)

Liverpool is reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Austrian defensive prospect Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

The 17-year-old is expected to move to Merseyside next summer, after Austria Wien agreed to sell the talented center-back to Liverpool. Ndukwe turns 18 in March, and Liverpool hopes to formalize a deal in time for Ndukwe to join up with his new team for the start of pre-season in July.

The Athletic reports that Ndukwe will initially go into the Under-21 setup, although Liverpool believes he has the potential to make the step up to senior level.

Ndukwe was reportedly identified as a player of interest by Matt Newberry, who was promoted to the role of Liverpool’s director of global talent just over a year ago.

Who is Ifeanyi Ndukwe?

Ndukwe was born in Vienna to a Nigerian father and a German mother, and began his soccer career at WAF Brigittenau – a soccer club in Vienna.

In 2016, Ndukwe left WAF Brigittenau to join the Austria Wien academy, where he has been ever since.

In March 2025, Ndukwe made his senior debut for Austria Wien's reserve team, which played in the third tier of the Austrian soccer league system.

Ndukwe ended up appearing 13 times for the reserve team in a campaign which culminated in promotion to the second tier.

Ndukwe celebrates after scoring against England at the Under-17 World Cup last November(Image: 2025 FIFA)

The youngster signed a professional contract with Austria Wien until 2028 last summer, but is yet to make his debut for the senior team, despite being named among the substitutes on several occasions.

At international level, Ndukwe has played 15 times for Austria's Under-17 side, and was a regular in the team that reached the final of the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar in November.

Austria narrowly lost the final 1-0 to Portugal, but Ndukwe enjoyed a productive tournament on a personal level, lining up in seven of Austria's eight games – only missing the semi-final due to suspension.

Ndukwe also showed he has an eye for goal as he found the net in Austria's 4-0 win over England in the last 16.

Ndukwe already stands at six feet and five inches – and he could get even taller considering he is still only 17 years old. He is described as an "imposing figure" by The Athletic.