Ryan Gravenberch, midfielder - Liverpool FC
Talented midfielder Ryan Gravenberch brought a record of proven winning experience to Liverpool FC when he joined from Bayern Munich in September 2023.
The Netherlands international became the Reds' fourth new recruit of that summer by signing a long-term deal.
He made his debut for the club as a late substitute in the Premier League win at Wolverhampton Wanderers before netting his first goal in a Europa League meeting with Union SG a month after arriving.
The No.38, who made 38 appearances and scored four times during his debut campaign at Anfield, earned a 2024 Carabao Cup winner's medal, having started the Wembley final against Chelsea.
Taking his earliest steps in the game as a youngster at AVV Zeeburgia, Gravenberch joined the esteemed academy of his boyhood club, AFC Ajax, aged eight.
Prodigious ability carried him through the ranks quickly; so much so, in fact, that he was given a senior debut for the Dutch giants as a 16-year-old in September 2018.
That outing made Gravenberch the youngest debutant in Ajax's illustrious history, and three days later he became their youngest goalscorer in the professional era too.
His development took a true forward leap in 2020-21 as he became a mainstay in the XI and helped the Amsterdammers romp to the Eredivisie title and lift the Dutch cup, in which he provided the opening goal in the final.
Ryan was awarded the league's Talent of the Year accolade following that campaign and then was part of the Ajax squad that retained the championship in 2021-22.
After 103 appearances for Ajax, including Champions League experience, Bayern Munich swooped to win his signature in the summer of 2022.
An U17 European Championship winner with his country in 2018, Gravenberch had by now also gained senior international call-ups, achieving his Netherlands bow in March 2021.
During his sole season with Bayern he was involved on 33 occasions in all competitions, claiming a Bundesliga winner's medal as they secured the 2022-23 title in dramatic fashion on the final day.
In the early weeks of the next season, Liverpool moved to bring Gravenberch to Anfield as part of a rebuild of the midfield department.
Date of birth
16 May 2002
Nationality
Dutch
Honours
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InterviewRyan Gravenberch raring for second chance to shine at 'Anfield South'. Ryan Gravenberch has full focus on making this weekend's trip to 'Anfield South' memorable after experiencing mixed emotions on his last visit with Liverpool.
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VideoWatch: A Day With... Ryan Gravenberch - home life, Liverpool love and memes. Get to know Ryan Gravenberch even better by spending the day with the Liverpool midfielder.
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News'Ryan has been almost flawless this season - I'm proud of him'. Virgil van Dijk has hailed the progress of teammate and compatriot Ryan Gravenberch, describing the midfielder’s season so far as ‘almost flawless’.
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Interview'We have to show up from the start' - Ryan Gravenberch previews Liverpool's trip to Brentford. Ryan Gravenberch and his teammates know the cause of their recent tendency to begin games slowly and are resolved to avoid a repeat when Liverpool visit Brentford.
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VideoThe Hulk, baseball and football heroes - Creative Works youngsters quiz Endo, Gravenberch and Jaros. Why did Ryan Gravenberch like The Hulk as a kid? Which other sport did Wataru Endo consider? And who was Vitezslav Jaros’ footballing inspiration?