Liverpool have completed the signings of two teenage defenders, bringing in Stefan Bajcetic from Celta Vigo and Calum Scanlon from Birmingham City.
The Reds have been linked with signing at least one centre-back for the first team, to combat their ongoing injury crisis, but the two new arrivals are not expected to be involved in the senior squad any time soon.
16-year-old Bajcetic arrives from Celta Vigo for €250,000 (£224,000), reports the Athletic, with Liverpool securing his signature despite competition from Manchester United who had also shown an interest in the central defender.
Academy director Alex Inglethorpe, assistant academy director Nick Marshall and under-23s coach Barry Lewtas have all been credited with their work in securing the deal and beating Man Utd to the signing.
Scanlon arrives from Birmingham for £400,000, with the Championship side accepting a bid for the left-back before Christmas.
The 15-year-old, along with Bajcetic, will be given some time to settle on Merseyside before the club decides which academy side they will compete for.
From 1 January onwards, UK clubs cannot sign players under 18 years old anymore.
It appears that the deal with Celta Vigo was done and dusted before December came to an end, though.
With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez out for the vast majority of the season, and Joel Matip currently sidelined, Liverpool may still make a move for a senior centre-back as well this month.
