Liverpool have made centre back Giovanni Leoni their eighth first-team signing of the summer, taking their spending for this transfer window hurtling towards the £300 million ($406.7 million) mark.
The towering 18-year-old defender has agreed a long-term contract with the club and will wear the No. 15 shirt last occupied by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, vacant since 2023.
“I’m very happy to be here. It’s a really great sensation and I’m honoured to be here,” Leoni told the club’s official website. “A lot [of excitement]. I’m so honoured. I was very happy [about Liverpool being interested]. When I saw this I said, ‘Wow, this is crazy.’ I’m very happy’.”
Leoni added: “It’s not possible to say no to this club. [It was] easy—because it’s one of the best clubs in the world. I didn’t say no!”
Liverpool are understood to have agreed a deal with Parma worth £30 million ($40.7 milllion) inclusive of add-ons for the young Italian, who made 17 Serie appearances in the second half of last season.
Leoni previously made his breakthrough at Padova in Italy’s lower leagues, before a critical loan with Sampdoria in Serie B accelerated his rapid rise.
He is potentially already Liverpool’s third choice centre back, behind established starters Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, and ahead of injury-prone Joe Gomez.
