Liverpool beat Manchester United, Chelsea and 27 other clubs to sign 17-year-old Samuel Martinez from Atletico Nacional, according to his parents. The Reds secured a deal for the Colombian attacking midfielder in July, though he will not join the club until next year.
Martinez was also wanted by Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, among others, but Liverpool won the race. Atletico Nacional will also receive a slice of any future sale. Four English clubs were keen on the teenager, with 30 teams in total said to be monitoring a potential move.
Five-year deal and £750,000 fee
Martinez has signed a five-year contract after Liverpool paid £750,000 to Atletico Nacional. He will remain with the Colombian club until the next summer transfer window, as he cannot officially join the Reds until he turns 18 in April.
His father, Jairo, told Gol Caracol: "Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Barcelona, Watford, Udinese, Chelsea, Manchester United, among others, all wanted him."
Family endured sleepless weeks
His mother, Victoria Valencia, said: "It was like a dream to experience that it wasn't just Liverpool. There were 30 teams around the world, and we spent almost a month and a half without sleep. Everyone was calling, at all hours. We lived on European time for a month."
Martinez's parents said their son felt a connection with Liverpool that influenced his decision. They added: "We had conversations with everyone, but Samuel made the decision. We can say whatever he wants, but we rely on what he wants, what he decides, what he feels comfortable with. And he felt a connection to go to Liverpool."
Preparing for the move
With nearly a year before his move, Martinez is improving his English, building on a solid foundation. Jairo said: "Samuel learned to read and write in English; he completed kindergarten, pre-kindergarten, first, and second grade in the United States. So, he already had a very strong foundation in the language.
"Now he has a personal tutor with whom he studies every day to make his English more fluent and eventually master it perfectly."
