Liverpool have confirmed that young defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe has completed a season-long loan move to Spanish side Levante. Ndukwe, 18, featured prominently in pre-season but remains ineligible to play in competitive matches for Liverpool due to work permit issues.
Loan move aids permit and development
Appearing in La Liga for Levante would allow the highly rated Austrian to qualify for a permit in the future. The loan move will also aid Ndukwe's development, as even if he was eligible for Liverpool, Andoni Iraola already has depth at centre-back.
Liverpool have signed Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet this summer to join Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Giovani Leoni at the heart of defence. Should they need Ndukwe, he can be recalled in the January transfer window.
Iraola promises further additions
For now, though, Iraola is focused on making additions in other areas. Liverpool want to bring in at least one winger and their new boss promised ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener against Newcastle that they'll 'definitely' make more signings.
"Some deals you have to wait until the end," Iraola explained in an interview with Sky Sports. "But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1, because it is true that we are still quite thin."
The Spaniard also told a press conference: "As a manager, this is an easy one for me. I wanted the players for the first day, July 13, everyone here, all the positions doubled, top-level players."
"But you understand how the competition works, that [the] market is open and you start the competition. We have to adapt as coaches to this situation."
Jones completes Inter Milan move
Another departure from Anfield was confirmed on Friday. Curtis Jones has signed for Serie A giants Inter Milan in a £30million deal, having been at the club since under-9 level.
