Premiership giants Liverpool have completed a deal to sign teenage Stockport County winger Ryan Crowther.
The Reds have paid an undisclosed fee for the 18-year-old, who has agreed personal terms at Anfield.
Crowther was a member of the Hatters highly successful Youth Team which defeated Colchester Utd 6 – 2 in last seasons Puma Youth Alliance Cup. The promising midfielder made his debut for County away at Shrewsbury Town and made one further sub appearance before being snapped up by the Reds.
Club Director Mark Maguire revealed:
“Ryan did extremely well last season in our Youth Team and a number of clubs expressed an interest in him. At the end the season Liverpool firmed up their interest and asked to take Ryan away on tour with them. They clearly liked what they saw!”
“On his return they approached us with a view to signing Ryan on a permanent basis. Obviously we loathe to lose our best young players but we felt that in this instance it was a fantastic chance for Ryan and we didn’t want to stand in his way.”
These comments are echoed by First Team Manager Jim Gannon who believes that Crowther won’t be the last off the Edgeley Park production line:
“The culture of this club is to develop and educate all our young players. Ryan is actually one of eight of last seasons youth team who we signed on Professional terms over the summer. I believe that all of these players have great potential and I’m always keen to integrate home grown players into first team.”
“In his time with us Ryan showed that he had undoubted ability and has exceeded expectations by securing a move to Liverpool. As a club we didn’t want to hinder his progress or stand in the way of such fantastic opportunity for him to establish himself as a professional and possible future international.”
