Liverpool: Nigeria U23 striker Taiwo Awoniyi to sign for Reds as Joe Maguire joins Leyton Orient on loan

Liverpool are set to announce the arrival of 18-year-old striker Taiwo Awoniyi after the player impressed the Reds coaches to earn himself a place in the club's youth setup. The forward is a Nigeria U23 international currently taking part in the All Africa Games.

The 18-year-old forward is joining the Merseyside club from Imperial Academy in his homeland and will be sent out on loan following his confirmation as a Liverpool player, according to the Liverpool Echo. The Nigeria U23 team's spokesman Timi Ebikagboro has confirmed that the forward has travelled to England to finalise the deal.

"He will leave this week for England to sign his contract with Liverpool and that is why he is not here training with us for the All Africa Games," Ebikagboro told africanfootball.com

Liverpool will struggle to get a work permit for Awoniyi, who is yet to make a debut for his country's senior team. Thus the report claims that he will be sent out on loan to either Holland or the Belgian team before linking up with the Reds' academy squad next season.

Apart from the Premier League club, Porto and Monaco were interested in signing the player, but the Anfield outfit have won the race after the Nigerian impressed Liverpool's Kirkby Academy staff, who were monitoring his progress. The player had himself admitted that a deal with Monaco was close earlier in the summer: "Deal to be finalised with AS Monaco with due respect soon," Awoniyi tweeted on June 15.

Meanwhile, the Reds have allowed one more of their academy players to leave the club on a temporary basis after Joe Maguire joined Leyton Orient on loan to gain first-team experience. The left-back, who can also operate as a centre-back or as a right-back, has agreed a one-month loan initially, but has the option of extending it further.

"Leyton Orient have agreed a deal to sign defender Joe Maguire on a youth loan from Premier League side Liverpool," a statement on the official Leyton Orient side read.