Liverpool have completed the signing of young Italian defender Giovanni Leoni in a £26 million deal from Parma, Afrosport reports.
The 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a six-year contract until 2031, with the transfer subject to international clearance and a work permit.
Leoni arrives as one of several summer signings for the Reds, joining the likes of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike.
“I’m very happy to be here. It’s a really great sensation and I’m honoured to be here,” he told the club media.
“Yeah, 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 at Liverpool 📸🔴 pic.twitter.com/3XwweETLRM
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2025
The Italy youth international began his career at Padova before securing a loan move to Sampdoria, which later turned into a permanent deal.
He joined Parma last summer, making 17 appearances and scoring one goal in Serie A in his debut season and was immediately courted by top clubs around Europe.
Leoni will wear the number 15 shirt for Liverpool, who are reportedly still in the market for more defensive reinforcements following the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jarell Quansah.
The highly-rated defender is expected to understudy first choice centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Van Dijk, 34, is nearing the twilight of his career, while reports suggest Konate is eyeing a possible move away from the club next summer.
“I want to improve a lot with my new teammates in training and after on the pitch, in the Premier League and the Champions League,” he added.
“I’ll watch the game [against Bournemouth] in the stadium; see the game and then after the game it’s a new journey.”
Liverpool kick off the 2025-26 Premier League season with Friday’s clash against Bournemouth at Anfield.
