Liverpool win the race to sign Celtic starlet Ben Doak ‘and will pay £600k in compensation’

Liverpool beat elite rivals to Celtic starlet Ben Doak, fresh from his hat-trick for Scotland U17s this week, with the Reds to ‘splash out around £600k’ – after Jurgen Klopp played ‘key role’ in his decision

  • Celtic prodigy Ben Doak has attracted interest from a number of elite clubs 
  • Liverpool won the race and will reportedly shell out £600,000 in compensation
  • The Reds beat a number of top teams to the signing, with Jurgen Klopp ‘pivotal’
  • Doak is said to be hopeful of emulating the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold  
  • He did not sign professional deal at Parkhead, despite Celtic wanting him to stay

Liverpool have snapped up young Celtic prodigy Ben Doak, with the club said to have splashed out a compensation fee of around £600,000.

It was revealed by The Athletic earlier this month that the Reds were leading the way in the race to sign Doak, 16, and the deal has now been wrapped up.

To little surprise, the highly-rated winger has attracted plenty of interest with a number of clubs having circled to snap up his signature in recent months.

Liverpool have won the race to sign in-demand Celtic wonderkid Ben Doak (pictured above)

The Reds have beaten a host of top teams to sign Doak

Jurgen Klopp was pivotal in his decision

The Reds have beaten a host of top teams to sign Doak (L), with Jurgen Klopp (R) pivotal

And it is understood Doak opted for Anfield due to Jurgen Klopp’s track record of developing youngsters – with the German ‘pivotal’ in his decision making, the report goes on. 

The success of stars such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones only strengthened his desire to pick the Reds ahead of other suitors, it claims. 

A picture of Doak holding up his first Liverpool shirt emerged on social media – beaming in the dressing room holding up a number 7 jersey while standing next to Andy Robertson’s kit. 

The club will splash out £600,000 in compensation for the wonderkid to bring him to Anfield

The club will splash out £600,000 in compensation for the wonderkid to bring him to Anfield

Given that James Milner currently occupies the No 7 shirt – and that Doak is still a teenager – it is possible the picture was taken from a stadium tour visit.  

Doak had not signed a professional contract at Parkhead ahead of his exit. 

He was handed his senior debut against Dundee in January, with Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou determined to convince the academy wonderkid to stay. 

Doak grabbed the headlines this week by netting a hat-trick for Scotland's U17s in their 6-1 win against Georgia

Doak grabbed the headlines this week by netting a hat-trick for Scotland’s U17s in their 6-1 win against Georgia 

This show of faith continued after Doak also featured in the Old Firm victory over Rangers in February, with the winger having been brought on late on. 

But he is yet to feature after deciding to take the next step in his career at Anfield.

The same publication has added that Leeds offered him better terms, but Doak appears to have been set on attempting to rise through the ranks with Liverpool. 

The in-demand star will not be eligible to make academy appearances for Liverpool until next season, however. 

It comes after Doak stole the headlines by scoring a hat-trick for Scotland’s Under 17s in their win against Georgia. 

The big win earned Scotland qualification for the European Championships, and Doak was clearly delighted with his role in the victory as he posted a picture of himself holding the match ball and waving three fingers.

He wrote: ‘Good to qualify for finals in Israel. International hatrick.’ 

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