Liverpool sign Senegalese winger Sidy Barhama Ndiaye

Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle to sign Senegalese winger Sidy Barhama Ndiaye, with the player set to join the club after his 18th birthday on 31 December 2027, meaning he will arrive for the 2028 season; the youngster was spotted at U17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and impressed in two U18 friendly matches, registering an assist and a goal. This year marked a significant acceleration of Liverpool's plans to pivot into the youth market, a strategy spearheaded by Michael Edwards and Pedro Marques. In January, Liverpool completed two deals for players who impressed at the U17 World Cup: Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye both joined the club after their performances in the tournament. Mor Talla Ndiaye arrived from Amitie FC, an academy owned by Demba Ba, and his early U21 performances have drawn attention from coaches including Jurgen Klopp; the ESC player rules allowed him to secure a work permit and play for the U21 side directly from Africa.

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Taiwo Awoniyi remains the only player the club signed directly from Africa before the ESC exemption rule, spending years on multiple loan spells before becoming eligible to play in the Premier League and ultimately moving to Nottingham Forest. Liverpool have also agreed deals for Samuel Martinez from Colombia and Kennet Eichhorn from Germany, while expressing interest in Diego Pelembe from Mozambique and Daniel Banjaqui from Portugal; the arrangement mirrors Kendry Páez’s pre‑arranged move to Chelsea from Independiente del Valle.

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Sidy Barhama Ndiaye was first identified by Liverpool scouts at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025, and during a two‑week stay he came off the bench twice for the U18s, providing an assist in one match and scoring in the other. He will not be able to officially join the club until he turns 18 on 31 December 2027, with Liverpool having agreed in principle to a deal similar to Samuel Martinez’s summer signing; his playing style has drawn comparisons to compatriot Sadio Mane, and he said he looks up to the former Liverpool star as an idol in a recent interview with Eyeball Football.