(Credit: Imago/Getty Images)

Evan Shaw

Tue 31 March 2026 18:15, UK

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Zane Whelan has agreed a deal to leave Liverpool’s academy setup and join League Two side Crewe Alexandra at the end of the season.

The right-back’s move to the Mornflake Stadium is set to go through at the end of the campaign, and he will continue training with Liverpool’s academy until the time comes for him to move on, according to The Talent Hunter via Instagram.

The 16-year-old has spent the last six years with the Reds, but the time has now come for him to leave his boyhood club, as he prepares to make a permanent switch to join fourth tier Crewe.

Whelan has already been playing for the Railwaymen after signing a scholarship with them back in November, and he has featured heavily for both their U16 and U18 sides so far this term.

Liverpool’s transfer plans are already taking shape for the summer, and Whelan is set to be one of the first players out of the door, with his move to Crewe now confirmed.

Zane Whelan joins one of the EFL’s most revered academies

Liverpool have seen plenty of youngsters come through the ranks and break into the first-team squad in recent years, with Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha two of their most promising emerging talents this season.

Whelan was another player who had been earmarked for future success at Anfield, but he is now set to continue his footballing development elsewhere after agreeing a deal to move on.

The young defender’s move to Crewe is set to see him join up with one of the EFL’s most revered academies, as countless Premier League stars have come through the Cheshire outfit’s production line over the years.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy began his career with the Railwaymen, while the likes of Robbie Savage and Ashley Westwood also previously took in spells there.

It has long since been one of the best breeding grounds for young talent in the entire Football League, and Whelan is clearly hoping that he can be the next Crewe starlet to progress towards a top-flight career.

Liverpool to fend off Rangers interest in academy right-back

Football Insider recently revealed that Liverpool are keen to keep Luca Stephenson, despite summer interest from Rangers after a promising loan spell with Dundee United.

The 22-year-old’s performances in the Scottish Premiership have seen the Glasgow giants develop an interest in signing him permanently, but any efforts to land him are set to be blocked by his parent club.

Liverpool are expected to hand the academy graduate the chance to impress in the first-team squad during their pre-season campaign, while Stephenson himself is also keen to prove himself to Arne Slot.

The Reds are ready to fend off any immediate interest in the starlet, but could potentially be tempted by a sale later in the window, provided that the money on the table was right for them.