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Burnley U21 sign English-Nigerian defender Emmanuel Airoboma from Liverpool
English-Nigerian centre-back Emmanuel Airoboma has joined Burnley U21 from Liverpool U21 on a free transfer, adding the 19-year-old defender to the club’s Premier League 2 squad.
Airoboma’s move to Burnley was completed on 21 August 2026. He has signed a contract running until 30 June 2027, with the switch bringing an end to his time in Liverpool’s academy system.
The Liverpool-born defender made 22 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League during the 2025-26 campaign, playing 1,610 minutes. He also featured five times in the UEFA Youth League, recording 396 minutes, and made two Premier League 2 appearances for Liverpool U21.
Airoboma joined Liverpool U21 from Liverpool U18 on 1 July 2025, having previously moved into the club’s Under-18 side from Liverpool Youth in July 2023. His progression through those age groups preceded his move within Premier League 2, with Burnley now becoming the latest stage of his development.
The defender’s arrival gives Burnley U21 a player with experience across several levels of youth football. His recent campaign included regular involvement at Under-18 level, European youth competition and a limited number of Premier League 2 minutes with Liverpool’s Under-21 team.
Airoboma holds English and Nigerian nationality and plays primarily at centre-back. He joins a Burnley side competing in Premier League 2, the same league in which Liverpool U21 operated before the transfer.
The move represents a change of club rather than a loan arrangement, with Airoboma leaving Liverpool U21 permanently on a free transfer. Burnley have secured his services through the end of the 2026-27 season, with his contract due to expire on 30 June 2027.
