Ex-Man City Starlet Who Trent Alexander-Arnold Thought Was 'Going to Be the Best in the World' Signs for New Club

A former Manchester City academy product who received the highest of praise from Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has joined a new club.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, came through the ranks at Liverpool before making his first-team debut for the Reds in a League Cup match against Spurs at Anfield in October 2026.

He went on to make 354 appearances for his boyhood club between 2016 and 2025, a period in which he helped the side win two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, one Champions League and one FIFA Club World Cup.

Of course, very few academy products go on to forge such successful careers even if they shine at youth level.

And this is the case for Brandon Barker.

Barker, now 28, was once a highly rated prospect during his time with Manchester City between 2004 and 2019.

Brandon Barker in action during a Man City youth match (Credit:Getty)

He impressed so much that Trent even explained how, at one point, he thought he was “going to be the best player in the world”.

When speaking about Barker during an interview with Liverpool in 2024, the right-back said: "I was playing for the Under-21s, first ever time at Anfield, got beaten 3-0. He scored two and got an assist. I came off at 60 minutes.

"Still to this day, he's the opponent I think that just destroyed me, man. I've never had it like that before.”

He added: "At that point, I'm thinking, 'This kid is going to be the best player in the world'. Because I'd never seen someone move so quickly and sharp, and effectively."

And despite his obvious talent, Barker made just one appearance for City in an FA Cup tie against Chelsea in 2016.

After loans at Rotherham United, Dutch outfit NAC Breda, Scottish club Hibernian, and Preston, the Mancunian moved permanently to Rangers in 2019.

But the Englishman failed to make a positive impact in Glasgow and saw his contract terminated by mutual consent in 2022 after making just 16 league appearances for the club.

Brandon Barker in action for Rangers (Credit:Getty)

An unsuccessful stint at Reading followed before he joined Cypriot side AC Omonia in 2022 and featured in a Europa League tie against Manchester United.

By 2024, the 28-year-old returned to England, this time signing for Morecambe, but his spell consisted of just two appearances for the Shrimps before he was released alongside 15 other players in May 2024.

And after over a year away from the professional game, the winger has now signed for non-league Kettering Town.

The club currently compete in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central.