Officially.. Liverpool announces the signing of Leoni

The English club Liverpool, Premier League champions, announced its signing of defender Giovanni Leoni from the Italian club Parma, subject to obtaining international clearance and successfully completing work permit procedures.

The 18-year-old defender passed medical examinations and signed a long-term contract at the "AXA" training center today (for 6 years), in a deal that cost the Reds' coffers £26 million + £4 million in add-ons.

Leoni began his professional career with Padova in March 2023, just three months after his sixteenth birthday, and had a loan spell with Sampdoria in the Italian second division during the 2023-2024 season, where he played 12 matches and scored one goal, before moving to Parma permanently last summer.

Leoni had an impressive season in Serie A with Parma during 2024-2025, where he participated in 17 matches and scored one goal, and on the international stage, he played with the Italy U19 national team, where he appeared in seven matches.

In his first statements to the club's official website, he said: "I am very happy to be here, it is a great feeling and a huge honor. When I learned of Liverpool's interest, I told myself: this is amazing."

The club confirmed that the player will wear the number 15 shirt with Liverpool.