Liverpool have completed a £4.3m deal to sign 18-year-old French forward Djylian N'Guessan on a pre-contract agreement from Saint-Etienne, with the teenager set to spend the season on loan at Stade Brest.
The France youth international will spend the campaign in Ligue 1 with Brest after agreeing a move from the second-tier French club. Liverpool will pay around £4.3million for the youngster, who is set to join up with the squad in January, though his situation will be reviewed at the turn of the year with another loan possible.
Saint-Etienne are one of France's most historic clubs, currently competing in the second tier of French football, while Brest operate in Ligue 1, the country's top division. Liverpool, based on Merseyside, have frequently targeted emerging European prospects to strengthen their squad structure.
N'Guessan was spotted playing in the Under-17 Euros in Albania, where he was named in the official team of the tournament following a series of impressive displays. His signature represents another coup for Liverpool under the leadership of head of global talent Matt Newberry, who oversees the club's international scouting operations.
Youth recruitment strategy
The Reds have signed a number of youngsters in recent years as part of a wider commitment to acquiring top global talent. Recent youth additions include Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Armin Pesci, Samuel Martinez and Lucca Brughmans.
In the first team, Liverpool have also worked to bring in the likes of Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet as they build for both immediate and future success.
The Reds are back in action this evening when they take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road in their hunt for the first win of the new season. Portman Road, located in Suffolk, hosts the fixture as Liverpool look to secure three points in their domestic campaign.
