Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published on Sunday, 08 February 2026, 14:06 / Updated on Sunday, 08 February 2026 14:09
The FA's Arbitration Commission (FA) ruled that in exchange for Rio Ngumoha (17), Chelsea to receive from Liverpool a fee of 3.2 million euros and 20 percent of the amount of a future transfer.
Rio Ngumoha was signed by Liverpool from Chelsea's Academy in September 2024. And in the summer of 2025, the player signed his first professional contract until 2028.
Rio Ngumoha made a splash at the start of the season
However, the “Cormorants” did not pay any money, which led the Londoners to turn to the competent authorities. The next? Liverpool have received some bad news.
The Arbitration Commission of the English Football Association has determined that it must pay Chelsea a transfer fee of 3.2 million euros, which could increase under certain conditions. Also, in case of a transfer of the extreme-left, the blues will receive 20 percent of the amount!
Rio created a sensation at the start of the season when he scored the winning goal in the 90th+10th minute of the match against Newcastle United (3-2). In total, he has so far made 13 appearances for the Cormorants in 2025-2026, all coming from the bench: 8 in the Premier League, 2 in the Champions League, 2 in the League Cup and one in the FA Cup.
Coach Arne Slot: “That says something about the quality of Rio Ngumoha”
In December, coach Arne Slot said of him: “I think he has the most playing minutes of any 17-year-old in the Premier League. That's an exceptional thing for a kid his age.
This also says something about his quality, because it is far from normal for a young man of only 17 years to receive as much playing time as he does.”
Last summer, after several successful developments in friendlies, he declared: “I really believe that one day I can win the Ballon d'Or. He wants me to be considered one of the best players in the history of football, a true legend”.
