Isaac Mabaya has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool FC.
The 17-year-old from Preston has been attending the Academy since the age of six.
Mabaya broke into the U18s team last season as a 16-year-old and was initially deployed as a wide midfielder.
A switch mid-season saw him move to full-back, where his ability to sweep forward as an attacking option has been impressive, and he has played at right-back for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s U18s this term.
He signed his first contract at Liverpool at the age of eight in 2013.
He has risen through the age-group teams and has already been capped by England at the Under-16 level.
However, he can still switch allegiance to Zimbabwe, in the future, as he qualifies through his parents.
The teenager’s father, David, worked as a pharmacist at United Bulawayo Hospitals up to 2000, before relocating to England.
They hail from Mutare where he last visited in 2014.
Mabaya, who idolises former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, has also been following Zimbabwean football closely.
England-based former Zimbabwe footballer, Charlie White, has urged ZIFA to keep track of the exciting youngster.
More: Liverpoolfc.com