LIVERPOOL -- At just 16 years old, Matteo Ritaccio made the 3,300-mile move from New York to Liverpool this summer to become the most senior American on the club's books when he joined the academy from BW Gottschee, a U.S. soccer developmental academy and youth affiliate of New York City FC, earlier this month.
It's only early days, but the midfielder does not look out place in a new environment, culture and style of football.
"The only difference is that he's got a different accent to everybody else," Liverpool Under-18s boss Barry Lewtas told ESPN FC. "Boys move around and stuff like that, but I don't think it's anything to sweep under the carpet.