Liverpool have beaten a host of other clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid to the signing of young Irish teenager Alex O’Hanlon. O’Hanlon, 15, plays for St.Kevin’s Boys’ Club in Dublin, and has been hailed as the next “Gareth Bale” by Brendan Birmingham, St.Kevin’s secretary.

O’Hanlon choose Liverpool as his destination with Kenny Dalglish’s policy of grooming youngsters and throwing them into first team action reportedly a key factor in his decision.

If St.Kevin’s past products are anything to go by, Liverpool might have just landed a gem in O’Hanlon. Liam Brady, Damien Duff, Stephen Carr and Ian Harte are all former St.Kevin’s players.

O’Hanlon will now join the club’s Academy at Melwood and St Kevin’s will receive compensation in accordance with UEFA’s guidelines, with the fee to rise depending on his progress.