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Liverpool Academy hot-shot Ben Woodburn has agreed his first professional contract.

The exciting attacker celebrates his 17th birthday on Saturday and the ECHO understands he will put pen to paper on a three-year deal.

Woodburn, who has been on the club’s books for nearly a decade, has long since been touted as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the Kirkby Academy.

He was promoted to Jurgen Klopp’s senior set-up for the early stages of pre-season and showcased his blistering potential - scoring in friendlies against both Fleetwood and Wigan. His composure was just as eye-catching as his natural ability with the ball at his feet.

From Tattenhall near Chester, the Wales youth international has already netted six goals for Michael Beale’s under-23s squad so far this term. The professional contract is reward for his exciting development with Liverpool moving swiftly to ensure they secured his services for another three years - the longest contract a 17-year-old scholar is allowed to sign.

“Ben is very level-headed,” Academy director Alex Inglethorpe told the ECHO back in August.

“He has been here since the age of seven or eight. There’s a long way to go but the fact that the boss already knows his name is a really big thing. That’s what you want as a young player – to catch the manager’s eye and for him to ask who you are and include you in some games.”