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Liverpool have completed the signing of centre-back Mor Talla Ndiaye from Amitie FC for a fee of around £1million ($1.3m).

The left-footed Senegal youth international, who turned 18 earlier this week, will start off with Rob Page’s under-21s squad with the hope that he will progress into Arne Slot’s first team set-up.

Ndiaye was pursued by a host of suitors from the Premier League and across Europe, but Liverpool managed to secure Ndiaye with the pathway they presented and a package that includes add-ons to Amitie, the Senegalese club owned by former Chelsea striker Demba Ba.

The Senegal youth international impressed with his performances at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar last November. His arrival at Liverpool could lead to defender Amara Nallo being loaned out later this month to gain more senior experience.

Liverpool are also close to wrapping up a deal for fellow teenage centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna. The Athletic revealed on January 2 that the Premier League champions were in talks to sign the highly-rated Austria youth international.

Vienna-born Ndukwe does not turn 18 until March, so the plan is to have him on board for the start of pre-season training in July. Ndukwe also caught the eye of scouts at the Under-17 World Cup as he helped Austria reach the final, where they were beaten by Portugal.

Ndiaye and Ndukwe were identified by the work of Liverpool’s director of global talent Matt Newberry and his team. Newberry was promoted to that new role just over a year ago having previously been the club’s head of senior academy recruitment and then head of loans and pathways.

Defensive reinforcements with an eye on the future has been the club’s focus in the January window so far. Liverpool have also signed 19-year-old centre-back Noah Adekoya from Burnley for Page’s Under-21s. Liverpool-born Adekoya had captained Burnley at under-18s level having been with the club since the under-12s.