Liverpool have confirmed the signing of teenage striker Will Wright from Salford City, beating Arsenal to the signature of one of League Two’s most promising young forwards.
The 17-year-old joins the Reds in a permanent deal following a breakthrough year at Salford, where he made his senior debut and scored over 40 goals across youth competitions as a scholar. The agreement was described by the Ammies as a “significant offer”, reflecting the high regard in which Wright is held.
The move is seen as a major boost for Liverpool’s academy ranks, with Wright already linking up with Rob Page’s U21 squad and making his first appearance last weekend in a friendly against Hull City.
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🔁 Deal Details
Liverpool’s pursuit of Wright intensified in recent weeks after Arsenal had initially agreed terms with Salford earlier in the summer. The Gunners tabled an offer worth £250,000 plus add-ons, which was initially greater than Liverpool’s bid.
However, the Merseyside club returned with an improved offer and ultimately convinced both Salford and the player that Anfield was the best place to continue his development. The deal is a significant step forward for Liverpool’s efforts to reinforce their youth ranks with domestic talent.
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💬 Reaction from Salford
Salford’s Head of Academy, Jamie Russell, praised Wright’s progress and described the move as a major moment for the club’s development model:
“We are absolutely delighted for Will to complete his move to Liverpool after a very successful season as a first-year scholar. He has earned this opportunity, and we’re excited to see how he continues to develop.”
“It’s brilliant for us as an Academy to see a player move on to a Category One club. We’ve only been Category Three ourselves since 2023, but we’ve seen 17 players make men’s team debuts in that time. This move reflects the excellent work being done across our coaching and recruitment staff.”
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🚀 What Liverpool Are Getting
Wright is a pacey, instinctive finisher with natural goal-scoring instincts. His prolific youth record, combined with brief senior exposure at Salford, makes him a high-upside investment for Liverpool’s U21s. He featured in the EFL Trophy, the Emirates FA Cup, and made two League Two appearances during the 2024/25 season.
While his arrival won’t impact the first team immediately, the Reds see Wright as a long-term project with the potential to break into senior football in the coming years.
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📈 Academy Ambition
Liverpool have placed growing emphasis on bolstering their U21 squad with standout performers from lower-league academies. Wright joins a cohort of young prospects aiming to bridge the gap between youth football and the senior setup — and he’ll be monitored closely as he adapts to life at Kirkby.
The move is also a validation of Salford City’s academy strategy, which has developed a strong reputation since its relaunch under co-owners Gary Neville and David Beckham.
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🟥 ZONE CONFIRMED
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