Rio Ngumoha is a 16-year-old English professional footballer who plays for Liverpool as a winger or attacking midfielder. Born on August 29, 2008, in London, England (specifically Newham), his full name is Rio Bass Ray Ngumoha Adigun.
Ngumoha began his youth career with Chelsea in 2016 before moving to Liverpool in 2024. He is also eligible to represent Nigeria internationally. Ngumoha has represented England at the U15, U16, and U17 levels. He was called up for the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
Ngumoha was called up to train with Liverpool's first team squad in the autumn of 2024 by manager Arne Slot. He was a substitute in Liverpool's EFL Cup tie against Southampton on December 18, 2024. He made his professional debut for Liverpool on January 11, 2025, starting in a 4–0 FA Cup win against Accrington Stanley. At 16 years and 135 days old, he became the youngest Liverpool player to appear in the FA Cup and the youngest to start a first-team game in the club's history. He was substituted off in the 71st minute for Jayden Danns. In July 2025, Ngumoha was included in Liverpool's pre-season tour to Hong Kong and Japan, where he scored two goals and provided two assists in four pre-season friendlies.
On August 25, 2025, Ngumoha made his Premier League debut as a substitute for Curtis Jones in an away game against Newcastle United. He scored in the 100th minute, securing a 3–2 victory for Liverpool and becoming the youngest goal scorer in club history.
Ngumoha's late goal against Newcastle made him the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal in a Premier League game, a milestone previously achieved by Wayne Rooney in October 2002 for Everton against Arsenal. Ngumoha was just one day younger than Rooney when he achieved this feat. Overall, Ngumoha is now the fourth-youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, behind James Vaughan, James Milner, and Wayne Rooney. At the age of 16 years and 361 days, he also became Liverpool's youngest-ever goalscorer, surpassing the previous record held by Ben Woodburn.
