Liverpool FC Confirms Signing of Teenage Defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma
Liverpool FC has signed 18-year-old Italian defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma in a £26m deal. Leoni has agreed to a 6-year contract with the Reds.
Liverpool FC has confirmed the signing of 18-year-old Italian defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma in a deal worth £26 million, potentially rising to more with add-ons. Leoni, an Italy Under-19 international, has agreed to a six-year contract with the Reds, becoming a key addition to Arne Slot's squad.
About Giovanni Leoni
Age and Height: Born on December 21, 2006, Leoni stands at an impressive 1.95m (6ft4in) tall, making him a formidable presence in the air.
Previous Club: Parma, where he made 17 league appearances and scored a goal in the 2024-2025 season.
Style of Play: Known for his intelligence on the field, Leoni boasts an 88.7% passing accuracy rate and excels in duels, winning 60.6% of them.
Inspiration: Leoni admires Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and has been compared to top defenders for his reading of the game and anticipation skills.
Transfer Details
- Transfer Fee: £26 million, potentially rising with add-ons.
- Contract: Six-year deal with Liverpool, tying Leoni to the club until 2031.
Liverpool's latest signing, 18-year-old Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, has finalized his transfer. The young defender is expected to join the team at Anfield to watch the Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday.
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Leoni has joined Arne Slot's squad immediately, filling the void left by Jarell Quansah's departure to Bayer Leverkusen in a £35 million deal. Leoni's signing is part of Liverpool's significant summer spending spree, which has seen the club invest heavily in new talent.
Liverpool's manager Arne Slot has indeed been on a spending spree, shelling out over £270 million on new signings since the team's title win last term.
Liverpool's Summer Transfers
The club's biggest splashes include:
The Reds have been active in the transfer market, signing several high-profile players, including:
- Jeremie Frimpong: £29.5 million from Bayer Leverkusen
- Florian Wirtz: £116 million from Bayer Leverkusen
- Milos Kerkez: £40 million from Bournemouth
- Hugo Ekitike: £69.4 million from Eintracht Frankfurt
- Giovanni Leoni: £26 million from Parma
Additional Targets
Liverpool had also set their sights on Alexander Isak from Newcastle, with a £110 million bid being rejected. Meanwhile, discussions for
Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace have stalled due to disagreements over the transfer fee, considering Guehi's contract is in its final year
Liverpool's total summer spending has reached £282.4 million, with notable sales including:
- Luis Diaz: £65.5 million to Bayern Munich
- Darwin Nunez: £46 million to Al-Hilal
- Trent Alexander-Arnold: £8.3 million to Real Madrid
“Because it's one of the best clubs in the world it's not possible to say no to this club,” Leoni said.
“I'm very happy to be here. It's a really great sensation and I'm honoured to be here.
“I'm so honoured. When I saw this (interest from Liverpool) I said, 'Wow, this is crazy.'.”
Giovanni Leoni's transfer to Liverpool is a dream come true for the 18-year-old Italian defender, who idolizes Virgil van Dijk. After making his professional debut for Padova in 2023, Leoni expressed his admiration for the Liverpool captain, saying he was “inspired” by Van Dijk's leadership and defensive prowess. Now, Leoni has the opportunity to learn from Van Dijk up close, potentially accelerating his growth as a top-class defender.
Leoni will likely compete with Joe Gomez for the role of primary backup to Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, Liverpool's established defensive partnership. Gomez's injury history might give Leoni an edge in securing playing time, but he'll need to impress Arne Slot to guarantee his spot in the rotation.
With Van Dijk's guidance, Leoni could rapidly develop his skills and adapt to the Premier League's demands. Given his impressive performances for Parma, where he showcased his aerial ability and defensive intelligence, Leoni has the potential to become a valuable asset for Liverpool. His admiration for Van Dijk could translate into a fruitful mentorship, benefiting both Leoni's career and Liverpool's defensive solidity.
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