Liverpool goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga has joined Irish outfit St Patrick's Athletic on loan after signing a new contract at Anfield.
The 21-year-old came through the Fluminense youth setup before joining Jurgen Klopp's side in the summer of 2020, and he has kept nine clean sheets in 37 games for the Reds' Under-23s side.
Pitaluga is yet to make his senior debut for Liverpool, but he has been in and around the first-team setup ever since his arrival, making the bench in the Premier League, Europa League and EFL Cup.
The Brazilian shot-stopper was named in Klopp's matchday squad for December's 2-0 top-flight win over Sheffield United, while he also has two clean sheets from five Premier League 2 appearances in the current campaign.
Pitaluga was also loaned out to Macclesfield FC for the 2022-23 campaign, playing 17 times for the Northern Premier League side before an ankle injury hampered his development.
With Alisson Becker, Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian all ahead of Pitaluga in the pecking order, the South American will spend the upcoming season in the League of Ireland Premier Division, following in the footsteps of fellow Reds goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros after the 22-year-old represented St Patrick's in 2021.
🧤 Goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga has joined us on loan from Liverpool FC
— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) January 5, 2024
The 21-year-old Brazilian, who is 6'4'', joined @LFC from Fluminense in 2020 & has already featured for their First Team under Jürgen Klopp
Welcome to The Saints, @mpitaluga_#StPatsFC #Sainta2024 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/DeD10rBMsS
"It feels amazing to have joined St Pat's, it's going to be a really big season and I can't wait," Pitaluga told the St Patrick's website. "The Liverpool goalkeeper coach spoke to me about the possibility a few weeks ago, I heard many good things about St Patrick's and the League of Ireland from Vitezslav Jaros and also spoke to Jon (Daly) and PJ (Pat Jennings), I think it will be really good for my career so I decided to come here.
"Viet had many great things to say about the club and about the fans, the staff here, Pat Jennings is still here which is absolutely fantastic for me also. I watched clips of St Pat's online and I watched the FAI Cup final too which looked like an unbelievable experience for everyone, that played a part in my decision too so I'm looking forward to starting the season."
St Patrick's manager Jon Daly added: "We're really pleased to welcome Marcelo to the club and are looking forward to working with him. He is an excellent young goalkeeper, who we feel will improve our squad.
"Marcelo is someone who we've been monitoring for quite a while, we have met with him a number of times and been over to watch him train and play.
"He's coming from one of the biggest clubs in the world and has been training and playing at a really high level, we're looking forward to getting him involved with the team and helping him settle into the group ahead of the new season."
Pitaluga will be in line to make his senior St Patrick's debut against Usher Celtic in the Leinster Senior Cup on January 22, before Daly's side head to Galway United on February 16 in their opening league fixture of 2024.
Ben Knapton
