Confirmed: Chirivella to join Nantes

Pedro Chirivella is set to join Nantes when his contract with Liverpool expires at the end of the month, both clubs have confirmed.

The Spanish midfielder arrived to Merseyside from Valencia’s youth setup back in 2013, when he was 16 years old. Having gone through the ranks, he only managed to make 11 first-team appearances for the club, playing mostly for their U-23 side. He has now obviously reached the stage of his career where he needs to be playing regular first-team football, and after loan spells with Go Ahead Eagles, Willem II and Extremadura, it’s time for the 23-year-old to move on permanently.

There was some talk about this spring about a possible extension, but manager Jurgen Klopp was always unlikely to promise him any game-time with the reigning Champions League holders, also set to be named Premier League champions soon.

Chirivella wore the captain’s armband as Aston Villa knocked what was practically Liverpool’s U-23 side from the Carabao Cup in December, while the first team was off winning the FIFA Club World Cup. He also put in fine performances in subsequent FA Cup victories over Everton and Shrewsbury Town.