The youngest record-breaker in Liverpool's Champions League history
In short: Stefan Bajcetic didn't just join a legendary club; he rewrote its history books before he was even old enough to vote. By making a specific appearance in 2022, he became the youngest player ever to feature in the Champions League for Liverpool FC.
Born in Vigo, Spain, in 2004 to a Serbian father and a Galician mother, Stefan Bajcetic's path to the elite level began in the Celta Vigo youth academy. His potential was recognized early when Liverpool signed him in December 2020 for a modest fee of £224,000. This investment quickly paid off as he transitioned into the first team, making his professional debut in August 2022 during a dominant 9–0 victory over Bournemouth.
Bajcetic's ascent was marked by rapid milestones. On September 13, 2022, he entered a Champions League match against Ajax as a 94th-minute substitute for Thiago, officially breaking Billy Koumetio's record for Liverpool's youngest Champions League player. He continued to shatter age barriers, becoming the youngest player to start a Champions League knockout match at just 18 years and 122 days during a high-stakes fixture against Real Madrid in February 2023.
His scoring record is equally notable. Having reached 18 years, 2 months, and 4 days, he joined the ranks of Liverpool's youngest Premier League scorers, following only Raheem Sterling and Michael Owen. While he faced a significant setback with an adductor injury in March 2023, he eventually navigated a series of loans to Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas before returning to his boyhood club, Celta Vigo, on a permanent deal in 2026.
Internationally, Bajcetic occupies a unique space, eligible for both Spain and Serbia. He was a key part of the Spain U18 squad that won the Lafarge Foot Avenir tournament in 2021 and later debuted for the Spain U21s in September 2023. His career serves as a case study in rapid development, moving from a low-cost academy prospect to a record-breaking mainstay in one of the world's most scrutinized leagues.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Stefan Bajcetic
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