Liverpool midfielder James Balagizi has signed his first professional contract with the club and has since taken to Instagram to celebrate what is ‘a dream come true’ for the Reds teenager.
Balagizi, 17, has been with the club since U11 level having joined Liverpool from Manchester City.
Capped at England under-17’s level, Balagizi is a regular feature in Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s U18 set-up at Kirkby.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) James Balagizi of Liverpool and Tom Sparrow of Stoke City in action during the U18 Premier League game at The Kirkby Academy on September 19, 2020 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Balagizi is typically best deployed as an attacking midfielder but can also play further forward. Last season he clocked up 20 appearances for the U18s, boasting an impressive tally of 11 goals and eight assists.
He was most recently among the starting XI that recently romped to a 5-0 victory against Stoke City U18 last Saturday. Balagizi followed that up with his first appearance for the U21s having come off the bench during Liverpool’s EFL Trophy defeat to Wigan on Tuesday night.
Balagizi’s talents were well documented after he made his debut for the U18 at just 15-years-old.
Following his first professional contract, Balagizi took to Instagram to reflect on the accomplishment of a childhood dream for the Reds teenager.
He said: “Dream come true to sign a professional contract at Liverpool. Hard work continues.”
A number of his Liverpool teammates were quick to respond to the contract news including Harvey Elliott, Leighton Clarkson, Layton Stewart and Billy Koumetion who all wrote messages to Balagizi.
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