Liberal American signed contract and joined up (6)
I believe the answer is:
linked
'joined up' is the definition.
'linked' can be an answer for 'joined' ('link' can be a synonym of 'join'). I'm unsure of the 'up' bit.
'liberal american signed contract' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'liberal' could be 'l' (abbreviation) and 'l' is located in the answer.
'signed' could be 'inked' (as in inking a new contract) and 'inked' is located in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for linked that I've seen before include "Connected, associated" , "Joined together" , "Joined or coupled" , "Being in a relationship" .)