KOP News # 1451

Reds youngster heads for the exit door

Liverpool, 00:38, July 24, 2012

Barnsley have beaten off competition from Premier League clubs to sign young winger Toni Silva on a free transfer from Liverpool.

Tykes boss Keith Hill has been tracking the 18-year-old for some time after being impressed with his performances at Northampton last season during a 15-game loan spell with the League Two outfit.
He joined Liverpool in 2009 from Benfica, and immediately looked a player of some promise with his displays at youth level, but his efforts for the Reds reserves failed to hit the same heights.
Liverpool have decided to let him move on with younger prospects like Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe now in front of him in the pecking order at Anfield.
Barnsley have handed Silva a two-year deal and while there is no fee involved as such, the South Yorkshire club will have to compensate the Reds for each of his three seasons on Merseyside due to his age.
Hill told BBC Radio Sheffield: "He's young, enthusiastic and quick with and without the ball.
"There's a lot of development that we're going to have to put into him to make him realise his potential but I believe we can do that.
"He went on loan to Northampton last season, which was a good experience for him. I spoke to Aidy Boothroyd about him and he agrees that he's an exciting prospect.
"Toni is left-footed and we've been looking for a left-footed winger for a while. But he can also play wide on the right and as a No.10, so he's the type of player we're looking for.
"There's no magic formula about buying players unless you have money, but we're working within a tight budget and doing the best business we can.
"This is a really good signing for the club but there needs to be some patience because he's still a young lad."