Liverpool forward Jayden Danns has committed his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract.
The 18-year-old made his senior debut during Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Luton Town in the Premier League last month.
The teenager also came off the bench during the Carabao Cup final, helping his side record a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
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Danns has also scored 21 goals in all competitions at youth level for Liverpool Under-18s and Under-21s this season, as well as two for the first team.
Danns’ father, the former Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Neil Danns, spoke to The Athletic about his son, saying: “You can make mistakes, whether that’s on or off the pitch.
“Having been a player myself for 22 years, anything I see or think can help him, I’m always going to do that. But I just want him to live out his dreams.”
GO DEEPER
Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns and two very proud footballing fathers
A rising star
A new long-term contract on improved terms is a fitting reward for Danns’ remarkable rise this season.
Rewind two months and the teenage striker, who has been at Liverpool since the age of eight, was still regarded as a member of the club’s under-18s’ squad.
However, he massively impressed Jurgen Klopp with both his talent and his attitude after being promoted to train with the first team at Kirkby in January.
In the space of an unforgettable week in late February, he made his debut off the bench against Luton Town, produced a lively cameo in the Carabao Cup final triumph over Chelsea, and scored twice in front of the Kop in the FA Cup victory over Southampton.
No wonder the beaming youngster described himself as “living the dream”. Earlier this month he also featured in the dramatic Premier League win at Nottingham Forest.
Injuries to senior players meant he was fast-tracked ahead of schedule but Danns, who has scored 21 goals at academy level this season, has grasped the opportunity to showcase his ability.
Liverpool have a policy of not giving youngsters too much too soon, but they regularly offer contract renewals to recognise when significant progress has been made.
Danns’ new deal shows just how far he’s come and just how highly the club rate a striker with so much potential.
(Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
