James Balagizi

James O’Gee Balagizi (born 20 September 2003) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liverpool.

James Balagizi
Personal information
Full name James O’Gee Balagizi[1]
Date of birth (2003-09-20) 20 September 2003
Place of birth Manchester, England[2]
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Liverpool
Number 85
Youth career
Liverpool
Manchester City
Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Liverpool 0 (0)
National team‡
2019 England U16 5 (0)
2019 England U17 2 (0)
2021 England U18 1 (0)
2021– England U19 7 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:04, 2 November 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11:13, 30 March 2022 (UTC)

Early life

Born in Manchester, Balagizi started his career with Liverpool, before joining Manchester City at the age of six.[3] After Manchester City decided against enrolling him at St Bede's College, Balagizi and his family decided to return to Liverpool, and he rejoined at under-11 level for a compensation fee of £9,000.[4][5]

Club career

Balagizi progressed well through the youth ranks at Liverpool, and is seen as one of their brightest prospects, despite a string of injuries limiting his youth team development.[6][7] He signed his first professional contract in September 2020.[5]

He was named on the bench for the senior squad for the first time in a 3–0 EFL Cup win over Norwich City in September 2021.[8]

International career

Eligible to represent both England and DR Congo, Balagizi has represented England at numerous youth levels.[2][5]

Career statistics
As of 2 November 2021.[9]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Liverpool U21 2020–21 ————1[lower-alpha 1]010
Liverpool 2021–22 Premier League 000000000000
Career total 000000001010
  1. Appearances in the EFL Trophy

References
  1. "Premier League clubs publish 2020/21 retained lists". premierleague.com. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  2. James Balagizi at WorldFootball.net
  3. O'Neill, Caoimhe (1 May 2021). "James Balagizi shows City what they are missing with another superb display". theathletic.com. Retrieved 2 November 2021. (subscription required)
  4. "Profile". liverpoolfc.com. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  5. Jones, Neil (12 May 2021). "James Balagizi: Liverpool wonderkid who left Man City behind". goal.com. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  6. Addison, Matt; Dunn, Connor (7 October 2020). "Liverpool teenage prodigy James Balagizi tipped for very bright future amid Man City frustration". liverpoolecho.co.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  7. Addison, Matt (20 August 2021). "Liverpool starlet compared to Yaya Touré showing Gini Wijnaldum traits as big few months await". liverpool.com. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  8. "Norwich City 0–3 Liverpool". bbc.co.uk. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  9. James Balagizi at Soccerway
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