Liverpool have completed the signing of teenage Celta Vigo defender Stefan Bajcetic.
The ECHO reported last week that Liverpool were in talks with the La Liga club over the 16-year-old central defender, who has impressed club scouts and was also reportedly wanted by Manchester United.
The champions faced a race against time and needed to conclude a deal before the United Kingdom leaves the European Union on January 1.
Under the new post-Brexit transfer rules, clubs cannot sign overseas players under the age of 18 once the UK officially leaves the EU at the end of this year but it is believed the formalities have been completed in time.
Bajcetic joined Celta's youth system three years ago and has played his way up the ranks, catching the attention of Liverpool and United’s recruitment and scouting team in the process.
Liverpool believe they can offer a pathway to the first team for their young recruits given the likes of Curtis Jones and Neco Williams have moved into the senior squad from a flourishing Academy system this season.
The 16-year-old can play at left-back as well as in midfield, and the family of the teenager had been contemplating whether a move to the Premier League and world champions would benefit his development.
Liverpool signed a number of teenagers from abroad last summer with the likes of Fabian Mrozek, Mateusz Musialowski and Marcelo Pitaluga joining the academy ranks. Those type of deals will be placed under much more scrutiny from the start of next year.
