Thursday June 27, 2019
Abdi Sharif has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool Football Club.
The 18-year-old midfielder has been training with the Reds since the age of six and formally joined the club three years later.
Born in Somalia but raised in Toxteth, Sharif’s footballing journey began in earnest after his family emigrated to the UK when he was aged three.
While his days were spent at the nearby St Margaret’s and Lawrence Community primary schools, his evenings and weekends were dominated by playing football with and against his nine older brothers.
“I had a lot of fun playing with my brothers when I was younger. I was competitive, I didn’t like losing or getting beat,” the young Scouser says.
He started in the FA Youth Cup final and scored a penalty in the shootout, which saw Liverpool lift the trophy for the first time in 12 years.
Sharif made his full U23s debut in January, going on to score his first goal at the level against Chelsea in April.