Liverpool have completed the signing of highly rated Senegalese centre-back Mor Talla Ndiaye from Amitie FC, adding another promising teenager to the club’s defensive pipeline and underlining their commitment to long-term squad building.

The 18-year-old arrives from the Dakar-based club for a reported fee in the region of £1 million, a significant outlay for a player yet to feature in European football but one that reflects Liverpool’s growing confidence in their global scouting network, particularly in West Africa.

Ndiaye first came to wider attention with his performances for Senegal at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, where he featured in four matches as the young Lions of Teranga progressed from the group stage before exiting in the knockout rounds. Operating primarily as a central defender, he impressed observers with his composure in possession, aerial dominance and reading of the game against some of the most talented young forwards in world football.

At club level, Ndiaye developed at Amitie FC, a side known within Senegalese football circles for nurturing raw talent and preparing players for the professional game. Coaches who worked with him in Dakar have highlighted his physical profile, timing in the tackle and willingness to take responsibility in the defensive line despite his age. Those traits, combined with his international exposure, helped place him on the radar of European scouts, with Liverpool ultimately moving decisively to secure his signature.

For now, Ndiaye will link up with Liverpool’s Under-21 squad at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby. The plan is to integrate him gradually into the club’s playing philosophy, with a focus on adapting to the pace and physicality of English football, as well as the tactical demands of Liverpool’s high defensive line and aggressive pressing game.

Within the academy structure, he is expected to compete for minutes in Premier League 2 and in domestic cup competitions at youth level, while also training regularly with senior professionals when appropriate. Liverpool’s staff have increasingly used this pathway to bridge the gap between youth and first-team football, giving promising players exposure to elite standards without rushing their development.

In the longer term, Ndiaye is viewed as a potential option to challenge for a place in the senior central defensive rotation, where Liverpool currently rely on captain Virgil van Dijk, France international Ibrahima Konaté and England defender Joe Gomez. With the club conscious of the need to refresh key positions over time, the arrival of a young, physically gifted centre-back from the international youth scene fits a broader strategy of succession planning.

Competition for defensive places at Liverpool is intense, but the club’s recent history shows that opportunities can emerge for those who adapt quickly and show consistency. The coaching staff will monitor Ndiaye’s progress closely, assessing how he copes with the tactical nuances of the Premier League environment, including defending large spaces, building from the back under pressure and maintaining concentration against high-tempo attacks.

Ndiaye’s signing also comes at a moment when Liverpool’s depth at youth level has been tested. Another teenage centre-back recruit, Italian defender Giovanni Leoni, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament on his debut for the club’s youth side and is expected to miss an extended period. That setback has underlined the importance of having multiple options in key positions and may accelerate Ndiaye’s involvement in competitive fixtures for the Under-21s.

Beyond the immediate footballing implications, Ndiaye’s move continues a growing trend of Premier League clubs investing directly in African-based prospects rather than waiting for them to establish themselves in European leagues. Senegal, in particular, has become a fertile ground for talent, with its national teams at various age levels performing strongly in recent years and its domestic academies building reputations for producing technically and physically prepared players.

For Senegal, Ndiaye’s transfer represents another step in the pathway from youth international football to one of the world’s most demanding club environments. If he progresses as hoped, he could eventually push for a place in the senior national team setup, following in the footsteps of other Senegalese defenders who have made their mark in Europe.

For Liverpool, the acquisition is a relatively low-cost, high-upside investment. The club will now focus on his adaptation on and off the pitch, from language and cultural support to strength and conditioning programmes tailored to the rigours of English football.