Liverpool to Include ‘Car Clause’ in Rio Ngumoha’s First Professional Contract
Liverpool are set to include a unique ‘car clause’ in Rio Ngumoha’s first professional contract, which he’s expected to sign upon turning 17.
Ngumoha, a talented winger and attacking midfielder, made history as the youngest player to ever start for Liverpool’s first team, featuring in the FA Cup third-round clash against Accrington Stanley at just 16 years and 135 days old. Since October 2024, he’s been training regularly with the senior squad and has reportedly made a strong impression—causing real challenges for veteran players in training, according to Anfield Watch. Manager Arne Slot and his staff are said to be highly impressed with his development.
Journalist David Lynch has described it as “very, very likely” that the former Chelsea academy prospect will sign his first professional deal next month. If confirmed, he’ll aim to build on recent senior appearances, including a pre-season start against Preston North End when many first-team regulars were unavailable.
Regardless of his growing role with the first team, Ngumoha will still be subject to a specific academy rule—the so-called ‘car clause.’ This policy, enforced across Liverpool’s youth setup, requires that any vehicle driven by an academy player must be approved by club staff. While there are no strict bans on certain car models, the academy decides what is appropriate and whether it may be parked on-site.
Academy director Alex Inglethorpe explained the reasoning during a 2023 episode of the We Are Liverpool podcast. He shared that the policy is about keeping young players grounded, discouraging them from showing up in luxury cars like Range Rovers before they’ve earned senior status. Inglethorpe highlighted club values of humility and hard work, pointing to senior pros like James Milner, Jordan Henderson, and Andy Robertson, who all started their careers modestly.
“You shouldn’t rush into rewards you haven’t earned,” he said. “If a player turns up in a car I don’t approve of, they can park it at the David Lloyd gym, not the academy. It’s not about being controlling—it’s about protecting the effort they’ve made and making sure they don’t waste their chance before it really begins.”
