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Jonjo Shelvey is one of the brightest talents
outside the Premier League
Liverpool have sealed a £1.7 million deal to sign
Charlton Athletic's highly-rated youngster Jonjo
Shelvey.
"Jonjo is an exciting young England international," Liverpool's
managing director Christian Purslow told the club's official
website. "His signing is part of our long-term strategic
recruitment plan and we all look forward to welcoming him to
Melwood (training ground)."
The initial fee for Shelvey, 18, could rise depending on a
number of potential add-ons, relating to domestic and international
appearances.
Shelvey made his first-team debut for Charlton aged just 16
years and 59 days - becoming the club's youngest ever player, and
he has scored four goals from midfield in 27 appearances this
season.
Charlton chairman Richard Murray told the club's website: "It's
with the greatest reluctance that we have accepted an offer for
Jonjo from Liverpool. No club likes to lose such a talented
prospect, but the overall package is one we couldn't refuse, and
one which was very attractive to Jonjo.
"As a club, we have never stood in the way of any of our young
players moving to 'bigger' clubs, and this also applies to Jonjo.
Liverpool are going to develop him over the next few years to be a
top player, and I can't think of a better place for him to go."
The two clubs also revealed that they are in talks over "a
strategic partnership involving the development of players in both
directions" following Shelvey's move to the Premier League.
