Liverpool have officially secured the signing of one of South America’s brightest young prospects, with the club confirming the agreement on Tuesday.
The Reds had closely monitored Colombian midfielder Samuel Martinez during the CONMEBOL Under-17 Championship in April, where he helped his country lift the trophy. Reports from Fabrizio Romano and Florian Plettenberg in May suggested that a move to Anfield was only a matter of time, and Liverpool have now made it official.
The club announced that an agreement has been reached with Atlético Nacional for the 17-year-old attacking midfielder. Due to FIFA regulations preventing international transfers involving minors, Martinez will remain in Colombia for the 2026/27 season before joining Liverpool’s academy ahead of the 2027/28 campaign.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the deal is worth around £750,000. Martinez completed his medical on Merseyside over the weekend and has signed a five-year contract with the Reds. Atlético Nacional will also receive a percentage of any future transfer fee, while Liverpool will continue to oversee the youngster’s development during his final year in Colombia.
The move is viewed as a major success for Liverpool, especially with Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund also reportedly interested in the highly-rated teenager. Landing such a promising talent for a relatively low fee could prove to be outstanding business.
The Athletic’s Felipe Cardenas has compared Martinez’s elegant running style, quick acceleration and lanky frame to Brazilian icon Kaká, highlighting the midfielder’s immense potential.
Although Martinez has yet to make his senior debut for Atlético Nacional, he is expected to gain first-team experience before making the switch to England. He will initially join Liverpool’s academy setup, but strong performances at youth level could accelerate his path towards the senior squad.
With head coach Andoni Iraola known for giving young players opportunities to flourish, Martinez appears to have joined a club where his talent can be nurtured and developed for the future.
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