Official: Liverpool confirm Nigeria-eligible defender has not been retained for 2023-2024 season 

Through their official website, Premier League giants Liverpool have announced their retained and released list following the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season. 

At academy level, the Reds confirmed that Nigeria-eligible central defender Oludare Olufunwa will embark on a new chapter in his career this summer, or in other words, he has not been retained for the 2023-2024 season. 

The 21-year-old completed a celebrated move to the six-time European champions in August 2022 following a successful trial. 

Before his move to Anfield, he was on the books of hometown club Southampton for twelve years, joining them in 2010 before he was released in the summer of 2022.

Olufunwa was plagued by injuries during his time at Liverpool, which limited his appearances to ten games in all competitions for the development squad, comprising four games in the Premier League 2, two in the Papa Johns Trophy and four in the Premier League International Cup. 

The highlight of his Liverpool career was netting against  Paris Saint-Germain in the Premier League International Cup despite playing out of position at right-back.

Meanwhile, central defender of Nigerian descent Wellity Lucky is one of the academy players retained. He penned his first professional contract with Liverpool in April 2023.

Although Elijah Gift has been retained on paper, the exciting winger is heading to his country of birth Spain to continue his career with Athletic Bilbao. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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