Rio Ngumoha has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool a few weeks after turning 17. He has already taken a big step forward this season under Arne Slot.

Liverpool talent Rio Ngumoha has signed a new contract at Anfield a few weeks after turning 17. He needed to reach that age to sign professional terms.

Ngumoha has already played five senior games for Liverpool under Arne Slot just over a year after he arrived from Chelsea. During the 2024/25 season, Ngumoha impressed across various levels. He featured for both the U18s and U21s, displaying his versatility as a left-sided forward capable of playing across the front line.

This season, he has already established himself as a regular option among the substitutes. He came off the bench to score the winner against Newcastle United in the 100th minute at St James’ Park.

“It is a dream debut for him,” Virgil van Dijk said after that game. “It was a perfect technique. We stayed calm towards the end as well, tried to find the right solution in order to score a goal, and we did it. I’m very pleased for Rio.”

In netting in that game, which was his Premier League bow, Ngumoha became the fourth-youngest goalscorer in top-flight history, trailing only James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney.

“It was a great goal for a 16-year-old,” Liverpool head coach Slot said. “It was a big chance. He can finish really well for his age. How firm his shot was — you don’t see this often.

Rio Ngumoha in action for Liverpool against Southampton (Image: Getty Images)
“He is so confident and for him to score is not completely a coincidence. For his age he is a really good finisher.”

Ngumoha’s breakthrough at senior level came in January 2025 when Slot handed him his first-team debut against Accrington Stanley. At just 16 years old, he became the youngest Liverpool player to appear in the FA Cup.

Slot then praised Ngumoha after the still 16-year-old impressed in pre-season friendlies against AC Milan and Yokohama FM in Tokyo.

“Rio again showed the quality he has and that’s nice for us because we have a lot of very good players,” Slot said after his side overcame Yokohama FM 3-1, with Ngumoha scoring the third.

“It’s always nice to see young players from 16, 17 or 18 years old already impacting a game. If you are 16 and you can impact the game like he did, that’s definitely worth a compliment.”

Liverpool.com says: Ngumoha has real talent and he will get plenty of chances this season down the left flank. He did well enough against Southampton midweek and the domestic cups should very much be his domain over the next few months.

In between, there will be more opportunities to make an impact in the Premier League and the Champions League in the meantime too, you would imagine.