Liverpool sign Irish teenager hailed as ‘new Gareth Bale’ – report

Sporting Director Damien Comolli (Getty Images)

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Liverpool have beaten Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and both Manchester clubs to the signing of Irish youngster Alex O’Hanlon, according to The Times.

The 15-year-old, who has been dubbed ‘the new Gareth Bale’, hails from St Kevins Boys Club in Dublin, a conveyor belt for talent such as Liam Brady, Damien Duff, Stephen Carr and Ian Harte.

St Kevins secretary Brendan Bermingham said: “He is very highly thought of. He’s an excellent full-back and hopefully he might turn out like Gareth Bale in time. He’s got a really good attitude, quiet and unassuming. He’s just football, football, football.”

Liverpool’s ability to blood the likes of John Flanagan, Jack Robinson and Jay Spearing into the starting line-up is believed to have been a key factor in O’Hanlon opting to move to the Reds, who are looking to bolster their academy under the watchful eyes of Damian Comolli and new owners Fenway Sports Group.

Since his arrival in January, Kenny Dalglish has made a point of integrating young talent into the Liverpool fold, with the likes of Martin Kelly, Jonjo Shelvey, Danny Wilson also making first-team appearances.