Keyrol Figueroa
Keyrol Figueroa (born August 31, 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for Liverpool F.C. U21 in the Premier League 2.[1] Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to former Premier League defender Maynor Figueroa, he holds American nationality and has been based in England since joining Liverpool's academy at under-14 level after a stint in the FC Dallas youth system.[2][3] Figueroa signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in May 2024, having progressed through the club's youth ranks where he debuted for the under-18s as a 15-year-old in the 2021-22 season.[2][4] Internationally, he has represented the United States at youth levels, including a standout performance at the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship where he scored a team-high seven goals to help qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.[3] Despite injury setbacks in recent years, he has emerged as a prolific scorer in Liverpool's academy, netting five goals in seven Premier League 2 appearances during the 2025-26 season, including a hat-trick in a 4-1 derby win over Everton on October 26, 2025.[5][6]Early Life and Background
Birth and Family Heritage
Keyrol Figueroa was born on August 31, 2006, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.[1] He is the son of Maynor Figueroa, a Honduran former professional footballer who earned 182 caps for the Honduras national team and played professionally in England, including 254 appearances across the Premier League and Championship with Wigan Athletic and Hull City, as well as stints in Major League Soccer with Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas.[7][8] His mother, Sandra Norales, represented Honduras as an international handball player.[8] Figueroa's family heritage is predominantly Honduran, with both parents originating from the country; his father was born in Jutiapa, Honduras, in 1983 and began his career in Honduran domestic leagues before achieving prominence abroad.[9] Despite this background, Figueroa holds dual nationality with the United States, acquired through residency periods in the U.S. during his father's MLS tenure, which facilitated his early exposure to American youth soccer systems before relocating to England.[10][3]Initial Soccer Exposure and Relocations
Figueroa, born in Honduras, relocated to England with his family shortly after his birth in 2006, as his father Maynor joined Wigan Athletic in the Premier League that year.[9] This early move immersed him in an English soccer environment, where he began informal training influenced by his father's professional routines and presence at sessions.[11] Maynor's guidance from infancy fostered Figueroa's foundational skills, emphasizing technical development amid the demands of following a journeyman defender's career.[12] In 2015, at approximately age 9, the family moved to the United States when Maynor transferred to the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer, later joining Houston Dynamo in 2016.[13] There, Figueroa transitioned to structured American youth soccer, starring in the FC Dallas academy from around that period, where he honed his goal-scoring instincts in competitive regional play.[11][9] This stint exposed him to MLS pathway systems, though his father's nearby professional commitments in Houston facilitated travel and oversight.[14] By 2018, Figueroa, then 12, persuaded his parents to return to England, joining Liverpool's academy at the under-14 level after trialing and departing FC Dallas.[11][15] These relocations—spanning Honduras, England, the US, and back—disrupted continuity but accelerated his adaptation to varied training methodologies, from Premier League-adjacent grassroots to MLS academy rigor.[16]Club Career
Youth Academy Progression at Liverpool
Figueroa joined Liverpool's academy in 2018 at the under-14 level after developing in the FC Dallas youth system, leveraging family connections in Major League Soccer.[11] His early integration reflected the club's emphasis on recruiting promising talents from overseas academies, with Figueroa adapting quickly to the competitive English youth environment.[2] Progressing through the age groups, he earned an early debut for the under-18s in October 2021, while still eligible for the under-16s, showcasing his advanced physical and technical maturity.[2] This precocious step-up highlighted his goal-scoring prowess, as he contributed significantly to youth matches, including a reported tally of 90 goals across a single calendar year during his academy ascent.[15] By the 2023-24 season, Figueroa had established himself as a key figure in the under-18 setup, featuring in competitions such as the U18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup.[6] On May 7, 2024, at age 17, he formalized his commitment by signing a professional contract with Liverpool, a milestone that secured his pathway toward senior opportunities.[17] Transitioning to the under-21s for the 2024-25 campaign, Figueroa made his debut in August 2024, marking further advancement in a squad blending academy graduates with loanees and fringe first-team players.[1] His progression underscores Liverpool's structured youth development model, prioritizing consistent performance metrics like goals and assists in pathway promotions.[2]Professional Milestones and Senior Integration
Figueroa signed his first professional contract with Liverpool on May 7, 2024, at the age of 17, marking a key milestone in his transition from academy prospect to contracted player.[2][17] This deal followed consistent performances across youth levels, including seven goals and five assists in 23 appearances for the U18s since the 2021-22 season, where he debuted as a U16 player.[4] In the 2024-25 campaign, Figueroa advanced to the U21 side, competing in Premier League 2 and recording one goal and one assist across 11 matches.[18] His academy scoring prowess was highlighted by a reported 90 goals in a single calendar year during his progression through the ranks, underscoring his development as a prolific forward.[15] Liverpool offered him a new contract extension in June 2025, confirming his retention on the club's list amid ongoing youth evaluation.[18] Regarding senior integration, Figueroa participated in first-team training sessions in September 2025, stepping up due to absences among Liverpool's senior squad during a session led by academy coach Ruben Peters in head coach Arne Slot's absence.[19][20] This exposure provided early exposure to senior-level environments, though he has yet to make a competitive debut for the first team as of October 2025. No loans or further senior appearances have been recorded, with his focus remaining on U21 development.International Career
Youth Representation with United States
Keyrol Figueroa began his international youth career with the United States under-17 men's national team (U-17 MYNT), where he emerged as a prolific scorer during the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, tallying seven goals in seven matches to help secure qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.[3][21] His performance tied him for the tournament lead in goals and marked a breakout showing, with Figueroa expressing optimism about the team's future prospects.[21] At the subsequent 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia, he made four appearances and contributed to the team's group stage efforts, including scoring his ninth goal of the U-17 cycle against Burkina Faso in the round of 16.[10][22] Figueroa progressed to the under-19 men's youth national team (U-19 MYNT), earning four caps and scoring one goal, including participation in matches such as a 1-0 victory over Argentina during a South American tour.[3] He has since advanced to the under-20 men's national team (U-20 MYNT), receiving call-ups for training camps, including a March 2025 roster for friendlies against Mexico and Japan, and an October 2025 camp in Spain during the FIFA window.[23][24] Across his youth international appearances with the United States at U-17, U-19, and U-20 levels, Figueroa has recorded 10 goals in 27 matches.[25]