Liverpool FC have completed the signing of English-born international Trey Nyoni from Midlands outfit Leicester City. The midfield sensation will be plying his trade for the Merseysiders come the 2023–24 season.
Nyoni registered two goals and as many assists in 15 appearances for Leicester City during the previous U-18 Premier League campaign.
The 16-year-old has also earned seven caps for the England U-16s, where he registered a goal and won a penalty in his international debut against Italy. Gifted with immense technical ability, the English wonderkid is set to don club legend Steven Gerrard’s iconic number 8 jersey at Liverpool.
Following Jordan Henderson and Fabinho’s departure to Saudi Arabia, Liverpool have been on the hunt for replacements on a short- and long-term basis.
The Reds missed out on midfield targets like Jude Bellingham, Moses Caicedo, and Romeo Lavia this summer but eventually secured 30-year-old Wataru Endo from Stattgurt.
That was followed up by the acquisition of Trey Nyoni, another midfield option for the coming years.
Nyoni confirmed his departure last month via an Instagram post in which he wrote, “Thank you, @lcfc. I am grateful to all the players and staff at the club who have helped me develop over the past 10 years.”
Where are Nyoni ‘s parents from?
Meanwhile, fans continue to make assumptions about the descent of the English-born star.
Nyoni is a surname that is prevalent in sub-Saharan countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, and Botswana.
The former Leicester City star is tipped to be a fully-baked midfielder by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hence the debate about his nationality.
Boniface Phiri amusingly wrote, “Zambia kuchalo [Zambia to the world]. Zambia is well represented”.
“All the way from Malawi”, Paul Jaguar Lewis said.
Emanuel Warioba added, “This boy is the future of Tanzania.”]
Well, Trey Nyoni was actually born in England to Zimbabwean parents and is hence eligible to represent both England and Zimbabwe at the senior level.
The English-born starlet could draw inspiration from Luton Town FC midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, who represents Zimbabwe.
However, the question now lies in whether Zimbabwe could successfully persuade him to represent their colors.
The Warriors are just returning from an 18-month suspension from football following a ban for government interference in football relations.