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Good news out of Liverpool's academy center in Kirky: top youth prospect Adam Phillips, who just celebrated his 17th birthday on Thursday, has signed his first professional contract with the club.
Despite the assured nature of Liverpool's desire to hold on to as bright a talent as Phillips, FIFA regulations kept them from signing him to a pro deal before his 17th birthday. With this contract in place, the youngster is now tied to the club for the next three years, and hopefully many more to come.
Phillips, a versatile attacking midfielder, has been a star for Neil Critchley's under-18 side this season, and has scored twice in two matches with the under-21 reserve squad. He's also featured twice for the England U-16 side, as well as received a callup to the U-17's. He's one of the brighter attacking prospects in England, and keeping him tied to Liverpool for the foreseeable future is a big win for the club.
Phillips was born in Garstang, a Lancashire town a little over an hour north of Liverpool. He's been a part of Liverpool's academy since his days as an under-11 player, and was the youngest player to take part in Liverpool's pre-season tour. He also played a solid role as a substitute in the friendly against Brondby earlier in the summer, and has used that pre-season success as a launching point to his excellent performances this season.