# Ifeanyi Ndukwe loan to Levante UD finalized > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ifeanyi-ndukwe-work-permit-and-loan-situation > Updated: 2026-08-25T08:21:45.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 4. Liverpool FC defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe is unable to play in the Premier League this season due to administrative issues regarding his UK work permit. Despite performing well during preseason friendlies, the 18-year-old Austrian defender does not meet the strict criteria required to secure a permit in England. To address this, Liverpool sought a loan move to allow Ndukwe to gain necessary international match experience. Following interest from coach Luis Castro, Liverpool has completed a season-long loan for the defender to Spanish club Levante UD. Ndukwe joined Liverpool from Austria Wien in a deal valued at approximately €3 million. The move to La Liga is intended to provide the 1.98-meter-tall defender with regular first-team experience while he lacks the necessary points for a UK work permit. The agreement includes a clause allowing for a potential early return to England during the winter window. While other clubs, including Racing Santander and Estoril Praia, expressed interest, Ndukwe has moved to Levante to bolster their squad following the departures of Alan Matturo and Matías Moreno. Liverpool officials have identified Ndukwe, a Nigerian-born player, as a talent capable of eventually breaking into the first team, specifically noting his tackling skills and composure. His preseason performances, which included playing alongside Virgil van Dijk in a match against AS Monaco, helped facilitate the move to a competitive environment for his development. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: Ifeanyi Ndukwe joins Levante on loan from Liverpool Liverpool defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe has joined Levante on loan after being unable to secure a UK work permit to play in the Premier League this season. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ifeanyi-ndukwe-joins-levante-on-loan-from-liverpool ### 2026-08-22: Ifeanyi Ndukwu joins Levante on loan from Liverpool Liverpool defender Ifeanyi Ndukwu has joined Spanish side Levante UD on a season-long loan to gain first-team experience while awaiting a UK work permit. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ifeanyi-ndukwu-joins-levante-on-loan-from-liverpool ### 2026-08-19: Levante UD nears loan deal for Liverpool defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe Levante UD is negotiating a loan for Liverpool's 18-year-old defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who requires a move due to UK work permit restrictions. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/levante-ud-nears-loan-deal-for-liverpool-defender-ifeanyi-ndukwe ### 2026-08-09: Ifeanyi Ndukwe unable to play Premier League due to work permit Liverpool defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe is barred from Premier League action this season due to UK work permit restrictions, despite impressive preseason performances. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ifeanyi-ndukwe-unable-to-play-premier-league-due-to-work-permit --- Cite as: Ifeanyi Ndukwe loan to Levante UD finalized. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ifeanyi-ndukwe-work-permit-and-loan-situation