Liverpool have signed 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma in a deal price £26 million plus add-ons.
An settlement was reached late on Wednesday night time as Liverpool beat off competitors from main Italian golf equipment and a number of other Premier League rivals.
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Leoni has a six-year contract and can be part of the first-team squad instantly, with no plans for a mortgage transfer.
The Italian youth worldwide will attend Liverpool’s opening Premier League match at Anfield towards Bournemouth earlier than starting coaching.
Leoni made his senior debut for Padova aged 16 years and three months, changing into the youngest participant throughout Italy’s skilled leagues within the 2022–23 season.
He moved to Sampdoria in February 2024, making 12 appearances and scoring as soon as in Serie B earlier than becoming a member of Parma forward of their Serie A return.
In simply his sixth top-flight look, he grew to become Parma’s youngest defender to attain in Serie A, heading dwelling towards Cagliari at 18 years and 50 days outdated.
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Leoni received over 60 p.c of his duels and 63% of aerial challenges in 2024–25. He registered an 88.7% passing accuracy.
He’s comfy with each ft and is understood for studying the sport effectively, traits praised by former coach Roberto Baronio.
Andrea Pirlo, who managed him at Sampdoria, known as him a ‘improbable lad’ destined for Serie A.
Legendary supervisor Arrigo Sacchi him as a ‘robust’ and ‘clever’ participant with the mentality to succeed on the highest stage.
He revealed that he grew up idolising Virgil van Dijk and has adopted the Premier League carefully.
Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot recognized him as a key defensive signing, with the membership prioritising younger expertise to refresh the squad.
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The transfer continues Liverpool’s latest sample of securing promising European gamers earlier than their market worth rises additional.
Leoni advised the membership’s official web site he was ‘honoured’ to hitch and keen to enhance within the Premier League and Champions League.