Liverpool announce first loan exit as 20-year-old joins Wigan Athletic

Liverpool and Scotland Under-21s defender Calvin Ramsay has signed for League One outfit Wigan Athletic on loan for the 2024-25 campaign.

The former Aberdeen starlet has endured a torrid period of injuries since joining the Reds in the summer of 2022, making just two appearances during Jurgen Klopp's tenure as head coach.

Ramsay also managed just a combined six appearances across two loan spells with Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End, playing twice for the latter in the first half of the 2023-24 season.

The 20-year-old subsequently dropped down a division to represent Bolton, but he only played four times for the Trotters and did not earn a single minute from March to May.

Rather than integrate Ramsay into the first team for Arne Slot's debut season, Liverpool struck a deal to let the Scotsman leave on loan for a third time, and he will be bidding to consign his fitness woes to the past with Wigan.

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Ramsay "over the moon" to join Latics

"I am over the moon. It happened quickly and I met the manager (Shaun Maloney) two weeks ago. I had a really good conversation, and there was an instant connection. I'm excited for the start of the season," Ramsay told the official Wigan website.

"When I was driving to the training ground, there was a real excitement, and I am hungry to get going and show everyone what I can do. It's a good opportunity at a good club, and I am raring to go."

Manager Shaun Maloney praised Ramsay's "excellent profile" and also his versatility, suggesting that the defender could be utilised as both a right-back and left-back during the upcoming season.

"I am delighted that Calvin has joined us on a season-long loan. He is a very highly-regarded player, who has already represented his country and gained experience in both the Scottish Premiership and the EFL," Maloney added.

"Calvin is an excellent profile who will bring aggression and attacking talent from both the right and left side of defence. Calvin is extremely motivated to help our team achieve success this season and will join us on day one of pre-season. I look forward to working with Calvin and helping him adapt as quickly as possible."

Ramsay move makes sense for all parties

A glimpse of our new no.2 cooking. 🔥 #wafc 🔵⚪️ | @CalvinRamsay pic.twitter.com/hEskSOAQQZ

— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) June 5, 2024

Ramsay's high potential has been evident ever since he won the SFWA Young Player of the Year prize for the 2021-22 season, and without his unfortunate fitness problems, a Liverpool breakthrough could very well have materialised by now.

However, during Ramsay's lengthy rehabilitation periods, Conor Bradley has burst onto the scene to become an exceptional backup for Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Joe Gomez and Stefan Bajcetic can also deputise on the right.

There is currently no space for Ramsay in the ranks as a result, but Gomez's Liverpool status is up in the air, while there could also be a future for Alexander-Arnold in midfield - as evidenced by his exploits in an England shirt.

Maloney's comments were also eye-catching, as Ramsay at left-back could be an intriguing option for Liverpool, who currently have an ageing Andrew Robertson and under-performing Kostas Tsimikas as their senior options on that side, as well as Gomez.

As a result, if Ramsay can come through a whole season with Wigan unscathed physically - and that is a very big if - Slot may have found a solution to an imminent left-back quandary.