Highly-rated Liverpool youngster signs first professional contract

Highly-rated youngster Trent Kone-Doherty has put pen to paper on his first professional contract at Liverpool.

The Derry-born wide player has caught the eye since joining Liverpool in 2022, scoring an impressive 11 goals for the club's under-18 outfit last campaign before recently being promoted to the under-21 set-up.

Kone-Doherty has continued to earn praise for his performances since moving to the under-21 level and, despite being just 17, was recently pictured training with the Liverpool first team.

The club have now confirmed that the youngster has now been rewarded for his fine form with his first professional contract, with a statement reading: "The 17-year-old joined the Reds from his hometown club Derry City in July last year.

"A winger blessed with skill and pace, he enjoyed a fine first season on Merseyside with the U18s, scoring 11 goals – including three in the UEFA Youth League – before injury brought an early end to his campaign.

"He has started 2023-24 in similar form, netting on his U21s debut in August away at Derby County, while continuing to impress with the U18s, for whom he fired in a hat-trick against Sunderland earlier this month.

"Kone-Doherty has already trained with Jurgen Klopp's senior squad and enjoyed youth international recognition from the Republic of Ireland up to U18 level."

Kone-Doherty is a one of a number of highly-rated prospects to have secured their Liverpool future in recent weeks.

Fellow 17-year-old Ben Doak signed a new long-term contract at Anfield in mid-September, having also impressed at various youth levels. The Scotland youth international has already made six appearances for the senior team, impressing in his Premier League debut last Boxing Day.

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