Liverpool have quietly concluded a deal to sign 19-year-old centre-back Noah Adekoya from Burnley, with the Scouser joining Rob Page’s U21s squad.Liverpool’s 2026 Academy Signings• Noah Adekoya (19): Joined immediately from Burnley; eligible for U21s vs. Norwich (Jan 9).• Talla Ndiaye (18): Expected to join from Amitie FC; left-footed Senegal U18 international.• Ifeanyi Ndukwe (17): Deal close for July 2026; 6’5″ defender joining from Austria Vienna for £2.6m.The defender announced on Wednesday that he had signed for his boyhood club, joining as part of a recruitment drive at Liverpool this month.Liverpool are also set to complete a deal for 18-year-old centre-back Talla Ndiaye from Senegalese club Amitie FC, while 17-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe will join from Austria Vienna in a deal worth upwards of €3 million (£2.6m) in July.Adekoya was born on Merseyside but has spent the majority of his youth career so far at Burnley, whom he joined at U12s level after trials with Liverpool.Having captained Burnley U18s to the title last season the teenager signed his first professional contract in October – but just over two months later he has completed a transfer.He is due to link up with the U21s squad and could even feature in their clash with Norwich on Friday evening.New Signing: Noah Adekoya Fact-FileMetricDetailsFull NameNoah AdekoyaAge19 (Born: Nov 22, 2006)BirthplaceLiverpool, EnglandNationalityEnglish / NigerianPositionCentre-backHeight6’3″ (193cm)Preferred FootBoth (Ambidextrous)Style of PlayAggressive, ball-playing defenderIt marks a full circle moment for the youngster, who spent six weeks on trial with Liverpool in 2018 but failed to secure a place due to injury.Over his time at Burnley he has proved himself to be a leader on the pitch, as an aggressive, front-footed defender who is comfortable playing on both the right and left sides of the centre-back pairing.He possesses an impressive passing range from both feet and has demonstrated his dribbling ability with mazy runs from defence to the attacking third.He arrives to bolster Page’s defence with Amara Nallo likely to depart on loan this month and Wellity Lucky promoted to the first-team squad following injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo.Carter Pinnington is also available and could partner Adekoya in the coming games while Ndiaye adjusts to life in England following his arrival from Senegal.Rhys Williams remains on the books but will be seeking a new permanent home as, now 24, he is into the final six months of his contract and has no long-term future at Liverpool.While a regular for Burnley U18s last season, Adekoya made his debut for their U21s as a 17-year-old in February 2024 and most recently came off the bench in their 3-2 victory over Stockport U21s in October.Liverpool U21s have not been in competitive action since a penalty shootout win over Chesterfield in the Vertu Trophy on November 11, though they did take in friendlies against Preston, Salford City, Sheffield United, and OGC Nice over the winter break.Friday’s trip to Norwich marks their first of four games in January, with Page’s young Reds currently 21st in the 29-team PL2 league having taken 10 points from nine fixtures so far.