Celtic lose top wonderkid to Liverpool in Gannon-Doak deal repeat

Robin Bairner

6 Dec 2025 08:15 CST
3 min read

Celtic are losing one of their leading young talents to Liverpool as the Anfield club eye a repeat of the move that took Ben Doak to Merseyside in 2022.

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Doak was regarded as one of the top academy prospects at Celtic before he was snatched up by Liverpool, where he would go on to make 10 first-team appearances before a €23 million move to Bournemouth in the summer.

Losing the Scotland ace was a painful blow to the Glasgow giants, but they are threatened seeing a repeat of this with the news that Liverpool are seeking to raid Parkhead for 15-year-old centre-back Dara Jikiemi.

The Scotland U15 captain has agreed to join Liverpool, according to The Secret Scout.

“Liverpool have agreed terms with 15-year-old Dara Jakiemi from Celtic,” the X account reports.

“The young centre-back who has played for Scotland wasn’t included in games this week against Spain as prepares his move to Liverpool.”

Doak made two Premiership appearances for Celtic before his move to Liverpool, but Jikiemi is set to leave without appearing for Wilfried Nancy’s side.

Always impressed by a centre-back who takes penalties this calmly.

As per @TheSecretScout_ Jikiemi is on his way to Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/jabh3auEAe
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) December 6, 2025

Dara Jakiemi to Liverpool: Expert opinion

Liverpool transfer expert Bence Bocsak believes that Reds have signed an outstanding prospect in the form of Jakiemi.

The Anfield Watch writer reports: “He looks like a proper modern-day centre-back and an ideal profile for Liverpool.

“He’s very comfortable on the ball, ideal for build-up. He’s constantly looking to break lines and play the ball forward. He’s comfortable with both feet and deals well under pressure.

“He looked strong in his duels, especially in his aerial battles. He won all of them in the games (3/3) I watched, but he’s also fast and able to defend the channels.

“There’s room for him to grow in his positional awareness. Sometimes he got caught out against Spain’s U15 side but overall he’s got an exciting potential.

“Still very young but he could be a gem.”

The news that Celtic are set to lose Jakiemi to Liverpool comes the same week that it emerged that Glasgow rivals Rangers are set to lose top prospect Bailey Rice to England as a free agent.