Liverpool defender Ndukwe set for Levante loan to accelerate development
Representatives confirm Anfield’s long-term commitment despite the temporary move, which follows interest from other Spanish and Portuguese sides.
Liverpool defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe is reportedly close to joining UD Levante on a season-long loan, a move designed to provide the 18-year-old with regular senior football in La Liga. According to an exclusive report from Sky Sport Austria, Ndukwe is scheduled to travel to Spain to finalise the temporary transfer.
The decision to send Ndukwe abroad comes after the defender attracted interest from other Spanish and Portuguese clubs. However, Levante was selected to offer a pathway that Liverpool cannot currently guarantee for the young central defender: consistent first-team exposure in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues.
Ndukwe joined Liverpool from Austria Vienna in a deal reported to be worth approximately €3 million. His recruitment followed a strong performance at the 2025 Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, where he helped Austria reach the final. His physical strength, composure, and aggression were noted as key attributes that distinguished him among Austria’s prospects.
Liverpool’s representatives have emphasised that the loan is a strategic development step rather than a departure. Ndukwe’s agency, More than Sport by AS1, stated that the club remains 100 per cent committed to the defender’s long-term future. The agency highlighted that Ndukwe had already demonstrated his potential in pre-season friendlies, including a match against Sunderland.
The loan is described by his representatives as an “early interim step” intended to accelerate his progress. The move aims to improve Ndukwe’s positioning, concentration, and ball usage in a technical environment. Liverpool expect him to return more tactically mature and better prepared for the pressures of playing at Anfield.
