STEVEN Gerrard has returned to familiar surroundings in search of his fourth signing as Rangers manager.
The Light Blues confirmed the signing of Ovie Ejaria on Thursday on a season-long loan deal from Liverpool.
But who is he?
Fact file
Age: 20
Club: Liverpool
Born: London
Position: Central midfielder
Last season: Sunderland, on loan (11 apps, 1 goal); Liverpool U23 (11 apps, 2 goals)
International: England U21 (1 cap), England U20 (7 caps, 2 goals)
Honours: Under-20 World Cup winner 2017
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Ejaria joined the Arsenal academy in 2005. His development caught the eye of other big clubs in England and in 2014 Liverpool beat rivals Manchester United to the signature of the promising 16-year-old.
Ejaria had to bide his time to be given a chance in the first team, but was finally handed his opportunity during a pre-season friendly against Tranmere Rovers in the summer of 2016. His performance caught the eye of manager Jurgen Klopp, who took the youngster on the club’s tour of the USA and handed him four more pre-season outings.
A successful summer led to a smattering of first team opportunities and Ejaria completed the 16/17 campaign with eight first-team appearances to his name across the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.
His development led to international recognition too as the playmaker was called into England’s Under-20 World Cup squad last summer.
Ejaria was given just one start, in the final group game against South Korea, as well as substitute appearances in the tournament opener against Argentina and the quarter-final win over Mexico.
He failed to make it off the bench in the victorious final against Venezuela but returned home from Korea last summer with a World Cup winners’ medal in his pocket.
However, Ejaria was to find first-team chances harder to come by this term and he failed to make a single senior appearance for the Reds in the first half of the season, instead featuring regularly for the Under-23 side.
On transfer deadline day in January, Sunderland took him on loan to the Championship and the midfielder settled well at the Stadium of Light, making 11 appearances.
He scored during a 3-0 win over league champions Wolves on the final day of the season, but it was too little too late in the Black Cats’ bid to avoid relegation.
Sunderland manager Chris Coleman, who has since been replaced by Jack Ross in the North-East, was encouraged by the signs Ejaria was showing during his loan spell.
“He has shown some really good things, some things you can tell he has been in Under-23 football,” he said.
“He has all the tools but hasn’t had the experience, he will get it.
“Ovie, he has the capacity to turn a game with one slick pass. He is brave and always wants the ball, he has been caught in possession now and again."
Ejaria’s style of play has led some fans to make comparisons to Manchester United star Paul Pogba, due to his comfort with the ball at his feet, an impressive passing range and an eye for goal.
Describing his own game after clinching his January loan move to the Stadium of Light, Ejaria said: "I'd say that I'm a player that likes to get on the ball quite a lot and make things happen, I'll try to create chances and hopefully score some goals as well.
"I'll always give 100 per cent and work hard for the team."
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