The tallest player currently at Liverpool is summer signing Joel Matip, who at 6ft 3ins isn't unusually tall by top-level centre-back standards, but a player who is on the verge of signing for the club would become the new tallest Liverpool player and at only 15 years of age.
Emeka Obi, a defender who became the youngest player ever to play for the Bury first-team when he made his debut back in August aged 15 years and 86 days, has agreed to join the club, according to Bury Times:
BURY are understood to be on the verge of selling Emeka Obi – the youngest ever player to appear for the first team – to Liverpool.
Sources at the club say the deal is expected to bring in a large, six-figure sum – all paid up front – with substantial add ons to follow.
However, due to his Nigerian heritage, visa issues are currently holding up the move.
Pre-contract papers have all been signed but the clubs are now waiting on the FA and the Football League's approval.
Obviously, at 15 he would be brought in with a view to being developed for a future place in the first team and not an immediate option, but then again, he's certainly got the height for the job.
He certainly wouldn't have any problem touching the 'THIS IS ANFIELD' sign before a match.
Bury boss David Flitcroft spoke very highly of Obi back in August, labelling him the best young talent in England:
I think he’s the best talent right now at 15 years old in the entire country.
He’s just turned 15, he’s a man mountain, but we teach them how to play football and he’s going to be an unbelievable asset to the football club.
He’s a kid that’s really switched on, I’ve watched him while he’s been on summer holidays and he’s been in every single day.
He sounds extremely promising, but time will tell whether he progresses to the first-team at Liverpool. The deal does indeed appear to be done, as the lad has updated his twitter account.
Seems Obi is all set! pic.twitter.com/YRKZeUi2gc
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) October 27, 2016
Keep an eye out for him, although he'll be hard to miss in any Liverpool youth games.
[via Bury Times]
