Luca Stephenson

Luca Stephenson

Personal information
Full name	Luca Stephenson[1]
Date of birth	(2003-09-17) 17 September 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth	Horden, England
Position(s)	Midfielder, defender
Team information
Current team	Dundee United (on loan from Liverpool)
Number	17
Youth career
0000–2018	Sunderland
2018–2023	Liverpool
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023–	Liverpool	0	(0)
2023–2024	→ Barrow (loan)	30	(0)
2024–	→ Dundee United (loan)	25	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 January 2025 (UTC)

Luca Stephenson (born 17 September 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or defender for Scottish Premiership club Dundee United, on loan from Premier League club Liverpool.

Career

Early career

Stephenson started his career in Sunderland's academy, before signing for Liverpool in September 2018.[2][3]

Stephenson captained Liverpool's under-18 team for the 2020–21 season, going on to also captain the under-21 side, becoming a regular with them in the following season.[3]

During his time in Liverpool's academy, Stephenson was versatile, playing at both centre-back and right-back in addition to his natural midfield role.[3]

Liverpool

Stephenson signed his first professional contract in September 2020,[4] with his deal being extended in February 2022.[5]

Loan to Barrow

On 1 September 2023, Stephenson joined EFL League Two club Barrow on a season-long loan.[6][7] On 5 September, he made his professional debut in an EFL Trophy fixture against Blackpool.[8] He later made his professional league debut on 30 September against Doncaster Rovers, coming on as a substitute for Tyrell Warren in the 62nd minute.[9] On 14 October 2023, Stephenson made his full league debut at right-wing-back as Barrow faced Milton Keynes Dons, being replaced after 46 minutes.[10]

During his time at Barrow, Stephenson was mainly deployed on the right of a back-five, with his hard-working and tough tackling style making him popular amongst fans.[11] He became a regular in a Barrow team that narrowly missed-out on the League Two English Football League play-offs by a single point, one of their best league finishes in a 122-year history.[12]

Loan to Dundee United

On 15 August 2024, Stephenson signed for newly promoted Scottish Premiership side Dundee United on a season-long loan.[13] He debuted for the club three days later in a Scottish League Cup match against St Mirren.[14] On 24 August, he made his league debut and scored his first professional goal in a 2–0 win over St Johnstone.[15]

Career statistics

As of match played 26 January 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Barrow (loan)	2023–24	EFL League Two	30	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2[a]	0	34	0
Dundee United (loan)	2024–25	Scottish Premiership	22	3	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	25	3
Career total			52	3	2	0	3	0	0	0	2	0	59	3

1. Appearance in EFL Trophy

References

1. "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
2. Rayner, Stuart (2 September 2018). "Sunderland youngster Luca Stephenson set to join Liverpool". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
3. "Luca Stephenson". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
4. "Luca Stephenson signs first professional contract with Liverpool FC". Liverpool F.C. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
5. "Luca Stephenson signs new contract with Liverpool FC". Liverpool F.C. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
6. O'Hara, Matthew (1 September 2023). "Barrow AFC complete Deadline Day loan-deal for Liverpool midfielder". The Mail. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
7. "Luca Stephenson makes loan move to Barrow". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
8. "Barrow Vs. Blackpool - 5 September 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
9. "Barrow Vs. Doncaster Rovers - 30 September 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
10. "MK Dons Vs. Barrow - 14 October 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
11. "Manager facing sack calls as Liverpool loanee subbed 42 minutes into debut". This is Anfield. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
12. "End of season review – Where do Barrow AFC go from here?". Retrieved 1 August 2023.
13. "Luca Stephenson completes loan switch to Dundee United". Liverpool F.C. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
14. "Dundee United 1–0 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
15. "Dundee United 2–0 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.

External links

• Luca Stephenson – UEFA competition record (archive)