Date published: Friday 5th February 2021 9:01 – Lewis Oldham
Liverpool have completed the signing of Derby County’s youngster Kaide Gordon, the Rams have confirmed.
Gordon joined Derby when he was just six years old. He progressed through their academy and in 2020 he was capped twice by England’s U16s.
The midfielder turned 16 in October and two months later he made his senior debut for Derby County. He came off the bench as the Rams beat Birmingham City 4-0 on December 29.
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In the process, he became the fourth-youngest player to ever play a part for Derby County’s first-team. At the end of last season, his performances were rewarded as he was named as the club’s Academy Player of the Season.
Derby have revealed that Gordon has joined the Premier League champions after the two clubs reached an agreement on “undisclosed compensation” for the player’s services.
As cited by GOAL, Derby boss Wayne Rooney heaped praise on Gordon ahead of his move to Liverpool:
“Kaide is a fantastic player. I brought him into the squad because he was showing the qualities I want.
“We offered him a deal which he didn’t take. As always when a player doesn’t sign up, if any of the big clubs in the Premier League come in, it is very difficult to deny the player that opportunity.
“There has been an offer for Kaide [from Derby] since before I have been in this role. He hasn’t signed it for whatever reason. Liverpool have become aware of that and stepped in.
“Once a team like Liverpool comes in for one of your players it is hard to turn that down.
“For his development, of course I would have liked him to stay at the club, but I understand once the champions of England come in and want to sign you, it is difficult to turn it down.”