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July 18, 2026 11:13 am EDT Updated
Liverpool are set to complete the signing of Colombia youth international Samuel Martinez from Atletico Nacional for around £750,000.
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has travelled to Merseyside to complete the formalities but won’t officially move to Liverpool until next summer.
Martinez will remain at Atletico Nacional for the coming season with Liverpool having an input in his development over the next 12 months.
He caught the eye of the club’s recruitment staff with his outstanding performances for Colombia at the South American Under-17 Championship in April where they beat Argentina in the final. He’s also set to feature at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar this November.
Liverpool beat off competition from a number of European clubs to secure his signature with input from their long-serving head of South American scouting Fernando Troiani, head of academy recruitment Chris Dowling, and Liverpool’s director of global talent Matt Newberry, who is responsible for deciding which youngsters from overseas should be targeted for a move when they turn 18.
Back in January, Liverpool signed Senegal youth international defender Mor Talla Ndiaye from Amitie FC for £1million and fellow centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna for £2.5million. Both are expected to be part of head coach Andoni Iraola’s squad when Liverpool fly to the US for the start of their two-week pre-season tour on Monday.
The Athletic reported in May that Liverpool were in advanced negotiations with Atletico Nacional over a deal for Martinez.
He’s yet to make his first-team debut at club level but Liverpool hope he will gain senior experience at Atletico Nacional over the coming season. He turns 18 in April but the plan is for him to stay in his homeland until pre-season ahead of the 2027-28 campaign.
Jul 18, 2026
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