Liverpool have announced that they have sold striker Layton Stewart to Championship club Preston North End on a permanent transfer.
The 20-year-old will join up with fellow scouser Ryan Lowe, who is Preston’s manager, after 16 years at the Reds as well as Calvin Ramsey who is on loan at the club.
Stewart was highly rated in the Liverpool academy but unfortunately he suffered a long-term ACL injury which knocked his progess.
However last season he made a full recovery to make his senior debut for Liverpool as he started against Derby County in the League Cup.
Liverpool reportedly have a buyback clause in his contract due to how much potential Stewart does have.
On joining Preston Stewart said: “I’m delighted to be here. It’s another step in my career, on my journey, so I think it’s the right move for my development to try and get some first team football.
“I’ve scored at youth level but I’ve got to take it into a first team environment now and try and do it for Preston in the games that I play in.
“I need to be with the lads and try and find my feet fast. It’s a big opportunity but it’s a good one for me to develop and obviously I need time, but hopefully I can do what I’ve done over the past few years.”
Stewart has never had a loan out in senior football so his move to Preston will be his only ever time away from Liverpool.
Saying goodbye on Instagram Stewart said: “What a journey it has been, from signing for Liverpool at the age of 5, with a dream of playing for the first team, to then getting the chance to make my debut at Anfield! With everything else along the way – I will hold these memories & feelings close for the rest of my career.”
Preston will be hoping Stewart will not be the only recruit in the forward position as they want to bring Tom Cannon back to the club after his successful loan spell from Everton last seasn-on.
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