Highly rated Dutch centre-back Ki-Jana Hoever has officially signed for Liverpool having been training with Barry Lewtas’ U18’s for some time – the paperwork was successful and Hoever was finally granted international clearance.

At just 16 years of age, Hoever has appeared for his National Team at youth level 10 times overall and was playing at U17 level for Ajax until Liverpool snapped him up.

This news is credited to Jack Lusby, who officialy announced Hoever’s transfer on Twitter earlier this afternoon. Able to play both as a centre-back and a right back, the Dutchman is versatile like many of his compatriots. Given the origins of “total football”, it’s no surprise that Dutch youth products become so adept in multiple positions.

Hoever will be amongst a host of youth products to join the club, with Liverpool frequently getting rid of players and bringing new talent in given the brutal nature of youth football. Whether Hoever will turn out to be the next big thing remains to be seen, should he be mentored by Virgil Van Dijk in the future, then he’s got a very good chance of course.

There was interest from Chelsea, United and Man City for Hoever but Liverpool managed to pip them to the post – it could be that Van Dijk was a factor in why he made that decision? Ajax are understandably gutted to be losing such a promising youth product having done everything in their power to hold onto him – but the lure of Liverpool proved too large.