Another City starlet is on his way to Liverpool.

The Bantams have agreed a deal for 14-year-old Nial Heaton to head to Anfield.

Centre back Heaton, from Pudsey, will become the third of the Valley Parade young guns to join Liverpool and the latest in a growing list of home developed players to leave for bigger clubs.

Calum Pilkington signed for Liverpool from the same age group last season while City are eagerly tracking the progress of England age-group international Andre Wisdom since his move there three years ago.

Fabian Delph and Tom Cleverley are the leading lights in an on-going exodus of young talent, which City need as part of their self-financing policy within the youth department.

Head of youth David Wetherall said: “We have to be realistic about the situation. Part of the success for us is producing players of this quality that benefit the football club financially.

“We are trying to get ourselves in a situation where we no longer have a real need to sell but it’s difficult to stand in players’ way when clubs such as Liverpool come knocking.

“Although myself and Pete (Horne) are obviously disappointed that these players won’t be wearing the claret and amber, we’ve a sense of pride that clubs with the quality of Liverpool are interested in them.

“We’ve got clubs who are interested in other players as well.”

John Hendrie’s son Luke is currently with Manchester United. Ben Gordon and Danny Ward have also come through the City system before signing elsewhere.

Each deal is structured on a development basis so that City receive payments to match the progress of the youngsters. It is understood that will also apply with Heaton, who joined the club in the summer of 2009 after a successful trial.