Profile

England defender Nathaniel Clyne arrived at Anfield from Southampton, where he enjoyed three successful seasons in the Barclays Premier League and achieved senior international status.

His move to the Reds marked the latest step of a steady ascent through English football that began in his native south London.

Clyne's talent was discovered by the Afewee Academy, a Brixton-based non-profit initiative aimed at giving local youths opportunities through sport. 

From there, the young Clyne was picked up by Crystal Palace, where he would spend the next 13 years and, eventually, make his professional debut.

The Eagles handed the defender his maiden appearance at the age of 17, as he played 90 minutes of a 3-0 victory over Barnsley in the Championship.

A new contract was subsequently inked and Nathaniel went on to establish himself in Neil Warnock's starting line-up before the end of the campaign.

In 2009, international recognition followed, with the full-back called into the England U19 squad ahead of the European Championship in France.

The Three Lions lost out to Spain in the semi-finals but Clyne enjoyed an impressive tournament, featuring in every game.

He followed up a strong summer by appearing in all 46 of Palace's league games in 2010-11 and scooped the club's Player of the Year award, having earned Young Player of the Year recognition in the two previous seasons.

Clyne was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year in his final campaign at Selhurst Park but, by that point, a Premier League move appeared inevitable.

Southampton subsequently swooped for the highly-rated defender in 2012, and his rapid progress continued at St Mary's as he seamlessly transitioned to top-flight football.

Clyne kicked off his third season with the Saints by scoring as his team were defeated 2-1 at Anfield and a first call-up to the England senior squad followed in October 2014.

His debut came in a Wembley meeting with Slovenia the following month and the 24-year-old has since been a regular in Roy Hodgson's teams.

That was largely thanks to the sizeable role he played in Southampton earning a surprise seventh-placed finish in 2014-15.

Further assured performances in defence and an ability to support attacks prompted Brendan Rodgers to make a move for the defender and he will begin the new campaign at Anfield after signing a long-term deal.