Liverpool Sign Parma Teen Defender Giovanni Leoni on Six-Year Deal
Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Parma’s teenage defender Giovanni Leoni in a deal worth an initial £26 million. The 18-year-old Italy Under-19 international has agreed a six-year contract with the club and is now awaiting international clearance and a work permit before joining the squad.
Leoni is expected to be present at Anfield for Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday. Once the necessary paperwork is completed, he will immediately join Arne Slot’s squad as a direct replacement for Jarell Quansah, who moved to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer.
Speaking after his move, Leoni said he could not turn down the chance to join “one of the best clubs in the world.” He expressed his excitement and described the opportunity to play for Liverpool as a great honour and a dream come true.
The teenager has previously spoken about being inspired by Virgil van Dijk, and now gets a chance to train alongside the Liverpool captain. He will also compete with Joe Gomez for a place as one of the main back-up options in central defence.
Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk remain the established partnership at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, but Leoni’s arrival gives the squad more depth and long-term stability. His signing reflects Liverpool’s strategy of investing in young talent as part of their squad rebuild under Arne Slot.
The transfer takes Slot’s spending to over £270 million since Liverpool’s league title triumph last season. The club has already added Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike to the squad during the current transfer window.
Liverpool are also reportedly interested in Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, although discussions are yet to progress due to disagreements over a fee. Leoni’s signing, however, has provided the club with an important defensive boost as they prepare for another competitive Premier League campaign.
