Meet Liverpool’s 18-year-old defender blocked from competitive football by Brexit rules

Ifeanyi Ndukwe wins 100% of his duels against Monaco | BBC

Liverpool’s highly rated 18-year-old defender, Ifeanyi Ndukwe will be unable to play competitive football for the club in 2026 because he does not currently qualify for a UK work permit under post-Brexit rules.

Ndukwe, who joined Liverpool from Austria Vienna in a deal worth £2.6m, has impressed during the club’s pre-season campaign and has already featured prominently for new manager, Andoni Iraola.

But despite his performances, the Austria youth international cannot play in Liverpool’s competitive matches this year because he failed to reach the points target required for a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE).

BBC reported on Tuesday that the development means “Ndukwe can play in Liverpool’s remaining friendly against Como on August 16, but not in their competitive fixtures once the season begins.”