Promising teenage midfielder Matteo Ritaccio has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool, after turning 18 just last month.
The American arrived at the club last year, and joined up with the squads at the Academy BW Gottschee in his home city of New York.
The youngster started the season brightly with Barry Lewtas’ U18s squad, but his momentum was brought to a halt by a leg injury – of which he is expected to return from in the coming months.
Last season, Ritaccio was part of the squad that won the FA Youth Cup after the dramatic penalty shootout victory over Manchester City in the final.
Matteo Ritaccio has signed his first professional contract with the Reds 🙌🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 12, 2019
Speaking when he’d not long joined the club, he said that he enjoys the hustle and bustle of the city. “[Liverpool] city centre is nice and I enjoy it, there’s a lot of stuff to do,” he told the club’s official website.
“I enjoy staying with my house parents, I feel comfortable there now, I’m settled in great now. I’ve been able to take care of my body off the pitch and that’s been helping me be on the training pitch as much as possible.
“It definitely is different [to New York]. I enjoy both the hustle and bustle and maybe more relaxed environment here in Liverpool. I’m here for the football, so that’s the most important thing.“