Liverpool have confirmed the departure of long-serving academy midfielder Tommy Pilling, who joins Slovakian side MFK Zemplín Michalovce after 16 years at the club.
Pilling first arrived at Liverpool aged five and progressed through the ranks as a versatile, eye-catching attacking midfielder. He trained with the first team on multiple occasions, and this summer was widely viewed as pivotal for the player, who turns 22 in September. That opportunity has now taken him to Michalovce on a permanent deal, where he has signed a three-year contract as he makes the step up to senior football.
This Is Anfield understands Liverpool agreed to waive any up-front fee. Appearance and performance-based add-ons were negotiated into the deal, along with a sell-on clause.
St Helens-born Pilling is not the first Englishman at the club. He joins Ben Cottrell, Kido Taylor-Hart and Kai Brosnan in Anton Šoltis’ squad.
“First I received a message from an unknown number saying that MFK Zemplín was interested in my services and was ready with an offer,” Pilling revealed after completing his switch to the Slovak Super Liga. “I immediately started researching information about the club.”
He added: “There is a good background here and a really good chance to improve. That is exactly the goal I came here with. I want to improve as a player and a person and make the most of this opportunity. I am excited about this challenge.”
Michalovce finished fifth in last season’s Slovak Super Liga and opened the new campaign with a 2-0 loss to FK Železiarne Podbrezová last weekend.
After 16 years at Liverpool it is a bold move for Pilling, who becomes the sixth player to leave the academy this summer on either a permanent or loan deal. Luca Stephenson was sold to Bolton for £700,000 while Carter Pinnington joined West Brom on similar terms to Pilling’s transfer. Armin Pecsi (TSV Hartberg), Amara Nallo (HJK Helsinki) and Kyle Kelly (Forest Green Rovers) have also headed out on loan. Further moves are expected in the coming weeks, with 19-year-old striker Keyrol Figueroa among those likely to depart on a temporary basis.
Pilling made 23 appearances for Liverpool U21s last season, contributing three goals and two assists, and sat on the first-team bench on two occasions in the Carabao Cup.