Liverpool Teenager Rio Ngumoha Signs First Professional Contract
Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha has signed his first professional contract with the Premier League champions.
The 17-year-old forward made headlines last month by scoring a dramatic 100th-minute winner against Newcastle during his Premier League debut.
While Liverpool has not disclosed the duration of Ngumoha's contract, his journey with the club has been noteworthy. After leaving Chelsea's academy in September 2024, he has already made five senior appearances for the Reds.
In January, Ngumoha set a record as the youngest player to start a match for Liverpool, at 16 years and 135 days, during a 4-0 victory over Accrington in the FA Cup.
This month, he also made his Champions League debut in a match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
Ngumoha has represented England at various junior levels, including his debut for the under-19 team on September 3.
Regarded as the top player in his age group at Chelsea, he opted to join Liverpool, believing it offered a clearer path to first-team opportunities, despite receiving several lucrative contract offers from the Blues.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot recognized Ngumoha's potential during pre-season, including him in the first-team setup. He made an impressive start against Athletic Club in August, scoring just two minutes into the match and receiving a standing ovation as he left the field midway through the second half.
This performance followed a strong showing in Asian friendlies, where he contributed an assist against AC Milan and scored against Yokohama F. Marinos.