Who is Rio Ngumoha? The first 16-year-old since Wayne Rooney to score a winning goal in the Premier League

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 26 Aug 2025 08:36 CDT
• 4 min read

Analysis

Chelsea have one of the best academies in world football and they continue to develop world-class talent, despite the fact their owners are seemingly disinterested in the performances of their youth products.

Reece James, Mason Mount, Levi Colwill and Fikayo Tomori are among the players to have honed their craft at Cobham, while Jamal Musiala was in Chelsea’s academy until he joined Bayern Munich aged 16.

In Rio Ngumoha, Chelsea boated a player who has been likened to Musiala on many occasions over the past few years. However, the talented teenager opted to leave Stamford Bridge to join Liverpool in 2024 and his stock has risen dramatically since then.

Who is Ngumoha, how good is he and do Liverpool have a future superstar on their hands?

What position does Rio Ngumoha play?

Ngumoha can play as a winger off either flank or as an attacking midfielder. He is best as a left winger.

How good is Rio Ngumoha?

Ngumoha was regarded as one of Chelsea’s brightest academy talents and he trained with the Blues first-team at just 15 years old.

In October 2023, he won the Premier League U16 Nationals ‘Player of the Tournament’ award, scoring in the final as Chelsea emerged victorious.

Ngumoha made his Chelsea U21 debut in January 2024 - becoming the club's third youngest player to achieve this feat in the 21st century - while he scored a mesmerising solo goal in the U17 Premier League cup final three months later.

Like the aforementioned Musiala, Ngumoha glides with the ball at his feet and is almost impossible to stop when he’s in full flow. His close control is immaculate and he excels in tight spaces.

It was this ability, and his immense talent, that prompted Liverpool to pursue a deal in 2024 after learning that Ngumoha was eager to leave Chelsea due to a lack of a first-team pathway in west London.

The teenager enjoyed an eye-catching first season at Liverpool and reports state that club officials were forced to delete training footage of Ngumoha after he humiliated a number of senior players in training.

He then excelled for the first-team ahead of the 2025-26 campaign - notching two goals and providing two assists in four pre-season friendlies.

This prompted Arne Slot to hand him a Premier League debut versus Newcastle in August 2025. With the score level at 2-2, Ngumoha netted a last-minute winner to announce himself on a global stage and confirm his presence as one of England's most promising youngsters.

In the process, he became the youngest player to ever score a senior goal for Liverpool.

What clubs are interested in Rio Ngumoha?

Ngumoha was wanted by virtually every top Premier League club in 2024 and interest will persist until he signs his first professional contract at Liverpool.

How old is Rio Ngumoha?

Ngumoha was born on 29 August 2008. He is 16 years old at the time of writing.

When does Rio Ngumoha’s contract expire?

Ngumoha is yet to sign his first professional contract at Liverpool.

What is Rio Ngumoha’s Instagram?

Ngumoha’s Instagram account is @rio_ngumoha. He has 626k followers as of August 2025.