LIVERPOOL have continued planning for the future by signing two highly-rated youngsters – as the club’s head of Academy admitted the challenge remains to bring more homegrown players through the ranks.
Sixteen-year-old duo Swedish forward Kristoffer Peterson, captured from Savedalens IF, and Millwall goalkeeper Yousef Mersin will both arrive next month.
Peterson was linked with Liverpool back in April and has signed after an encouraging trial earlier this season and eventually receiving international clearance, while Mersin has already represented Turkey at under-16 and U17 level.
The pair will be sent straight to Liverpool’s Academy, with technical manager Josep Segura determined to find more young talent for the first team having seen an improvement in the quality of players in his charge.
Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, Dani Pacheco and Nathan Eccleston have all graduated from the Academy to appear in the first team this season.
But Segura acknowledges there must be greater numbers capable of making the step up to senior recognition.
“The most important thing for Liverpool is that these players aged 16, 17 and 18 years old go on to become professionals with this club,” said the Spaniard, formerly an academy and B team coach at Barcelona.
“This is our target. It is clear that we must strive to produce great players to play for Liverpool for years to come and hopefully they can help us to win many trophies at first-team level.
“It is not an easy challenge for us but it is one that we must work hard to make a reality with every passing day.”
“I feel we have made good progress since I arrived here in the summer of 2009, the academy is growing and the level of our players is growing too.
“The aim is now to ensure that this great club is blessed with some of the best homegrown players of the future.”
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/12/21/liverpool-fc-sign-swedish-forward-kristoffer-peterson-and-millwall-keeper-yousef-mersin-with-eye-to-future-92534-27859933/2/#ixzz18jSNRlz7
