Liverpool confirms arrival of talented teenager
Liverpool announced the signing of highly-rated teenage defender Giovanni Leoni ahead of its opening match of the Premier League season against Bournemouth.
Leoni, who has put pen to paper on a six-year contract with the Reds, arrives on Merseyside for a reported £26 million ($54.1 million)) fee plus add-ons from Serie A side Parma.
The 18-year-old's move to Anfield was confirmed earlier this week by Arne Slot, with the Liverpool boss stressing the need for defensive reinforcements.
Liverpool sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer, and it has also been linked with a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Leoni is the seventh addition of a busy window for the Premier League champion, which starts its title defence at Anfield on Saturday (AEST) against Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth.
Leoni enjoyed a strong debut year for Parma in 2024-2025 after sealing a move from fellow Italian side Sampdoria, making 17 appearances across all competitions.
The Italian scored his only goal of the campaign in a 2-1 defeat to Cagliari in February.
At 18 years and 50 days old, Leoni became the youngest defender to score in Serie A since Andrea Papetti, who did so with Brescia at 18 years and two days old in 2020.
"I'm very happy to be here. It's a really great sensation, and I'm honoured to be here," Leoni said.
"Yeah, a lot [of excitement]. I'm so honoured. I was very happy. When I saw this, I said, 'Wow, this is crazy.' I'm very happy.
"I want to improve a lot with my new team-mates in training and afterwards on the pitch, in the Premier League and the [UEFA] Champions League.
"I'll watch the game [against Bournemouth] in the stadium, see the game and then after the game it's a new journey."
