Young center-back Oludare Olufunwa, 21, joined Liverpool academy ranks this summer after leaving Southampton on a free transfer, know who is he
Last season, Olufunwa was a regular for the Southampton under-23s, making 13 starts in Premier League 2, but his appearances decreased in the second half of the year. Olufunwa is brought in to play a valuable role inside the academy even if he is not considered as a signing for the Liverpool first team. Olufunwa will consequently strengthen a team that also features Terence Miles, Jarell Quansah, and Lee Jones.
Know Who Is Defender Oludare Olufunwa New Liverpool Transfer, Biography, Age, Football Career, Playing Style
LFC signs 21 year old CB Oludare Olufunwa, previously of Southampton Academy pic.twitter.com/I4XkIH23LN
— Moby 🇺🇾 (@Mobyhaque1) August 9, 2022
Excited to be joining this great club, what a special place! Thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome, time to get to work ! 🔴❤️ pic.twitter.com/gWwtUy8TvM
— Oludare Olufunwa (@oludareolufunwa) August 9, 2022
Olufunwa’s role at Liverpool & Expectations from Player
Following the expiration of his Southampton contract, teenage defender Oludare Olufunwa has been signed by Liverpool. The child spent 11 years in the Saints’ programme, but it’s unclear whether the defender was let go or rejected a new deal on the South coast. Taking advantage of the circumstance, Liverpool offered Olufunwa a trial with the U-21s during their preseason tour this summer. And, according to This is Anfield, the 20-year-old impressed, which prompted the Reds to sign him on a permanent basis.
Olufunwa is anticipated to play a significant role for the U-21 team this season owing to the fact that Rhys Williams and Billy Koumetio both departed the team on loan. Due to a lack of depth, Liverpool’s U-21 team recently fell 3-0 to Manchester City’s U-21 team, and the Reds were unable to select a central defender on the substitutes’ bench.
Jürgen Klopp is renowned for advancing young players to the starting lineup. The teenage center-back will be trying to emulate Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, who both developed into significant players for the Reds manager after entering first-team play. Liverpool has acquired some of its most important players from Southampton, and the Reds are confident they have uncovered another gem in Olufunwa.
Position, Playing Style, And Recent Performance of Olufunwa
Olufunwa, sometimes known as Dare, joined the south coast club when he was nine years old and spent the majority of his early career there before moving on to join Liverpool. He progressed steadily through Southampton’s age levels, regularly working out with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first team, including during the 2021 preseason, before being let go this summer.
The tall, powerful Olufunwa, who plays centre back mostly, has gotten used to playing right back while playing for Southampton’s under-18 team. He has previously mentioned Vincent Kompany and Virgil van Dijk as role models at center-back, where he is most likely to play in the long run. After the teenage player earned a two-year professional deal in 2020, Southampton U21s manager Dave Horseman lauded Olufunwa’s leadership talents on and off the field.
Olufunwa showed his strength and quickness during his preseason appearances on trial for Liverpool U21s, when he started against Caernarfon Town and Wigan. He also showed a hunger to get on the ball and play.
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