Liverpool have secured the future of another highly-rated academy prospect, with Erik Farkas signing his first professional contract with the club.
The 17-year-old midfielder put pen to paper on the new deal at the AXA Training Centre, marking another important milestone in his development at Liverpool.
And this one feels particularly special for Farkas and his family.
“It’s a really proud moment for me and my family,” Farkas told Liverpoolfc.com. “I’m just grateful and blessed to achieve something big like that.”
Farkas has been with Liverpool since U12 level
Farkas has been part of Liverpool’s Academy setup since he was in the Under-12s and is now a member of Simon Wiles’ Under-18 side.
He’s made three appearances so far this season and has already found the net twice.
He also came off the bench in Liverpool U19s’ UEFA Youth League draw against Atletico Madrid last week.
That is a pretty encouraging start to the campaign for a player who has only just turned 17.
Farkas was born in Hungary but represents England internationally and has already been capped at Under-17 level.
There is clearly plenty of belief in his potential at Kirkby.
Another Farkas makes his mark
What’s made this week even more interesting is that Erik isn’t the only Farkas to have committed his future to Liverpool.
His older brother Patrik signed a professional contract with the Reds just three days earlier.
The 19-year-old midfielder returned to Liverpool after spending the previous four years at Blackburn Rovers and has now been reunited with his younger brother in the Academy setup.
That’s some story for the Farkas family.
Two brothers who both came through Liverpool’s system are now professional footballers at the club.
And Patrik has previously spoken about the pair pushing each other to improve.
Another exciting Academy prospect
Liverpool have been doing a good job of tying down a number of their promising young players recently, with Erik the latest to put pen to paper.
Haydn Murray-Holme, Oliver O’Connor and several other academy prospects have also signed professional contracts in recent months.
Of course, signing a professional contract is only the beginning.
The difficult part is now ahead of Farkas.
He needs to continue developing, handle the increased expectations and eventually try to make the huge step from academy football into senior football.
But that’s what makes these moments so exciting.
Liverpool aren’t just signing established stars for the first team. They’re also continuing to invest in young players who could potentially become part of the club’s future.
Erik Farkas is now officially a professional Liverpool player.
And at just 17 years of age, I’m certainly going to be keeping an eye on his progress.
Who knows?
A few years from now, we could be looking back at this day as the moment another Liverpool academy player began his journey towards the first team.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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