Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Colombian prodigy Samuel Martinez from Atlético Nacional, with only a few details remaining for the deal to be sealed.
The Reds are famous for fostering young talent, offering a clear pathway for their best youth stars into the first team. Rio Ngumoha’s rise to stardom this season is the latest feature on a long list of players to star in the first team after featuring in the academy.
Now, with reports pouring in from the top journalists in football, it looks as though Liverpool will sign him soon.
Trusted Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra broke the news first, taking to X to share Liverpool’s latest transfer move.
Sierra reports: “Samuel Martínez is just a few details away from becoming a new Liverpool player. They reached an agreement for him to become the new talent of the ‘Reds’ for 1M$ and sign for 5 years.
“They are advancing in the final documentation after outbidding other European giants The Colombian will stay at Atlético Nacional until he reaches the age of majority. The ‘verdolaga’ will retain % of future sale.”
? Exclusiva: Samuel Martínez (17) está a mínimos detalles de ser nuevo jugador del #Liverpool. Llegaron a un acuerdo para que se convierta en el nuevo talento de los ‘reds’ por 1M$ y firmar por 5 años. Avanzan en la documentación final tras superar a otros gigante de Europa ???… pic.twitter.com/EE5gfU86qR
— Pipe Sierra (@PSierraR) May 22, 2026
Liverpool complete deal to sign FIFA U17 World Cup star described as ‘Kaka-esque’
Liverpool have beaten the likes of Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona to this signing. The competition for Martinez shows how exciting he is, but also how Liverpool are regarded as a safe place for young players to learn and thrive.
The pathway young Ngumoha has taken into the Liverpool starting lineup may also be a factor as the players are born in 2008 and 2009, respectively. It shouldn’t be understated how important security is to young players and their families when make decisions over this kind of transfer.
Moby Haque, an expert on European and South American youth players, has described Martinez as ‘Kaka-esque.’
After the announcement of the deal, Moby wrote: “Looks like the cat is out of the bag, I expected this news to break a few weeks later but the agents spread it quick.
“Samuel Martinez (17) will be joining us once he turns 18. The pearl off the Colombian U17 team. Kaka-esque MF. He chose us over Man City, Barca, BVB. Very exciting.”
Looks like the cat is out of the bag, I expected this news to break a few weeks later but the agents spread it quick. Samuel Martinez (17) will be joining us once he turns 18. The pearl off the Colombian U17 team. Kaka-esque MF. He chose us over Man City, Barca, BVB. Very… pic.twitter.com/rOLyNN3tOf
— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) May 22, 2026
