Oakley Cannonier, a former Liverpool striker, has officially joined Hougang United in the Singapore Premier League. The move comes after Cannonier’s departure from Liverpool, where he spent a decade in the academy system.
Cannonier, who was among several academy players released by Liverpool earlier in the summer, had indicated his intention to leave the club months prior. There were previous discussions about a potential return to his boyhood club, Leeds United, before his transfer to Asia was confirmed.
Departure from Anfield
The forward never made a senior appearance for Liverpool, having joined the club in 2015. Despite this, he played a notable, albeit unconventional, role in a significant moment for the club during their 2019 Champions League campaign. As a ballboy during the semi-final second leg against Barcelona, Cannonier quickly provided the ball to Trent Alexander-Arnold for a corner kick. This swift action allowed Alexander-Arnold to take the corner while Barcelona’s players were still positioning themselves, leading to a goal by Divock Origi that put Liverpool ahead and ultimately contributed to their progression to the final in Madrid.
Following his exit, Cannonier posted a farewell message on social media, expressing gratitude to Liverpool FC for his ten years at the club. His message specifically thanked “all the players and SOME of the staff” he had worked with, with the capitalization of “SOME” suggesting a nuanced sentiment towards certain staff members within the academy.
Cannonier’s message also acknowledged the club’s role in his development, stating, “This club has played a huge part in my journey, both as a player and as a person, and I’ll always be grateful for that.” He also noted that despite not making a senior debut at Anfield, he was part of the club’s history. The memories, experiences, and friendships formed during his time on Merseyside are something he stated would remain with him.
Career trajectory and new beginnings
Cannonier began his youth career at Leeds United before moving to Liverpool’s academy at the age of 11. His most prolific season came in 2021/22, when he finished as the academy’s top scorer, netting 41 goals across various competitions. This impressive performance included a strong showing in the U18 Premier League North, which earned him a promotion to the Under-21s and a new long-term contract at Anfield.
However, his progress was subsequently hampered by injuries. He reportedly struggled with hamstring issues, which some believe led to him feeling overlooked upon his return to fitness. In an interview in February, Cannonier expressed frustration over limited opportunities, stating his desire for regular playing time. He described the period of limited games as “really difficult” and “pretty crap,” particularly after training all week without matches to look forward to.
Now, Cannonier is embarking on a new chapter with Hougang United. A statement from the Singaporean club confirmed his signing, welcoming the English striker ahead of the new Singapore Premier League season. The club expressed its best wishes for Cannonier’s success in their orange and black colours and looks forward to his contributions throughout the upcoming campaign. The Singapore Premier League is scheduled to commence on Friday, 11 September.
The transfer to Hougang United marks a significant change for Cannonier, who is now set for a new adventure in Singapore after his long tenure with Liverpool.
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Source: daveockop.com
