Exclusive: McLaughlin and Harvey has been appointed as the main contractor to build Liverpool FC’s new £50m training complex, CN has learned.

Work on the Premier League side’s plans will begin in October and is expected to complete in spring 2020, it is understood.

Liverpool first revealed the plans to transform its existing academy training centre in Kirkby into a single facility for both its first team and youth team in May 2017.

The £50m project will see a host of new facilities built across the 34.6 ha site, including first-team pitches, a full-sized covered pitch, and the creation of an area for parents of academy players.

In the middle of the site will be a new two-storey training centre with a gross internal space of 91,500 sq ft.

KSS is the architect behind the scheme’s design, the practice having previously worked with Liverpool FC on the new Main Stand at Anfield.

The club secured approval from the city’s council to build 160 houses on the site of its existing Melwood training ground site in November.

Liverpool FC and McLaughlin and Harvey have been contacted for comment.