Liverpool have been productive in the January transfer window so far.
They’ve made two signings, the first Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg for £7.25million.
Their second signing you might not be familiar with, however.
Joe Hardy has moved to Anfield from Brentford B for an undisclosed fee.
Brentford B coach Neil McFarlane said: “Joe has been here for a number of years and last year he had a pretty fruitful season in terms of being the top goal scorer and playing a number of games.
“He’s perhaps come to the end of his time with the club in terms of the strategy, and to go to a club the size of Liverpool can only be good for him.”
But what else is there to know about Hardy? Below you can see another eight facts about the 21-year-old.
1) He’s from Merseyside originally
Hailing from the Wirral originally, Hardy’s move to Anfield could be viewed as a sort of homecoming.
However, he didn’t play for either Liverpool or Everton but started his career at another big club from the north-west…
2) He used to play for Manchester City
Yes, it was at Liverpool’s rivals Man City where he started his youth career in 2015.
Hardy then rose up the ranks before getting a move to Brentford during the 2016/17 season.
3) He had a goal every two games average at Brentford B
It’s not a bad ratio, albeit for Brentford’s B team.
He scored 40 goals in 80 appearances for the club but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be able to make the jump at Liverpool.
4) Former teammates of his include Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden
When you’re at Man City then you’re surrounded by talented players, even at youth level.
And Hardy played alongside Man City midfielder Foden 17 times as well as Jadon Sancho, who left to join Borussia Dortmund in 2017, on ten occasions, according to transfermarkt.com.
5) He once beat Liverpool 7-0
This is actually the biggest win of his young career, against the club he now plays for!
It came when he was at Man City during an Under-18s Premier League clash in August 2016.
Hardy scored twice and provided two assists in the game, according to transfermarkt.com.
6) He’s been brought in to replace Rhian Brewster
While Liverpool has not said he’s specifically been brought in for that reason, it’s understood that’s why Hardy was signed.
Brewster, 19, completed a move to Swansea on loan for the rest of the season a day after the Reds announced the Hardy deal.
7) His Liverpool Under-23s debut came against a former club of his
Hardy has already made his debut for Liverpool’s Under-23 side and it came against Man City.
Liverpool were beaten 1-0 on January 5. Hardy came on in the final few moments and had almost stole a point for his new side but his effort was saved.
8) Paul Ince was Liverpool captain when Hardy was born
Does this make you feel old?
Hardy was born on September 26, 1998 which means ‘The Guv’nor’ was Liverpool skipper at the time.
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