While most seventeen-year-olds are busy downloading the latest social media apps or trying to figure out what they want to pursue in college, a certain Welsh kid sits in his room and sees his name on the front page of the newspaper. Ben Woodburn, the 17-year old wonderkid from Liverpool is making the headlines for all the right reasons.
He made his competitive debut for Liverpool at the age of 17 years and 42 days and by doing so, became their third youngest debutant of all time. The Welsh International who plays as a forward, became Liverpool’s youngest ever goal scorer three days later when he came off the bench to score against Leeds United in an EFL Cup tie.
Woodburn’s meteoric rise continued as he made his full debuts for Liverpool in cup and league matches and in April, he was nominated for the 2017 European Golden Boy award. The end of the season saw Woodburn win Liverpool’s Academy Player of the Season and he was also nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Season.
Woodburn was eligible to represent both Wales and England but the Liverpool teenage sensation chose to represent The Dragons. His sensational path to fame saw him being handed his first international debut in September this year and it took the 17-year old just four minutes to bag his first international goal, a stunning free kick goal nonetheless.
Woodburn has drawn praise from both his national team manager Chris Coleman and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who admitted that they are “singing big songs” about the 17-year old.
Des Maher, Liverpool’s head U16 coach at the Academy has praised Ben and said that has a very level head on his shoulder for someone his age and has a first-class attitude to succeed in the game.
Woodburn turns 18 next month and will finally be eligible for a senior contract at Liverpool. As things become more and more real for the young man, Liverpool want the situation dealt with swiftly and smoothly. They are already lining up a lengthy, new contract for their teenage star and Woodburn is expected to sign his first professional contract without any fuss.
Liverpool understands that the investment being made in the Welsh international is one for the future and under Klopp’s tutelage, Woodburn can go onto become one of Europe’s top strikers in the coming years.
With the market inflating every day and ridiculous prices being paid for players all across the world, Liverpool would like to see the best of their prospective talents wrapped up in secure long term contracts. Offering Woodburn a contract will go a long way in that process for if the Welsh kid is to live up to his potential, he would definitely be able to guide Liverpool back to their glory days.
