Liverpool buys “lion” Parma Defender for £ 26 million

Liverpool has signed Giovanni Leoni in Italy under the age of 21 years of Parma for £ 26 million in a six -year agreement.

Leoni, 18, made his debut in the series in November in one of the 17 appearances after joining the Gialloblu de Sampdoria in August.

The youth product of 6ft 5in Padova called the movement a “great feeling” and a “honor” and will see the reds ” Premier League Open at home in Bournemouth on Friday (20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT).

“It’s one of the best clubs in the world,” Leoni said Liverpool website. “It is not possible to say no to this club.”

Why did Liverpool signed Giovanni Leoni?

The Liverpool has been in reinforcements for a long time in the Central Defense, with Jarell Quensah marching to Leverkusen in July, Ibrahima Konate out of the contract at the end of 2025/26 and Joe Gomez a doubt of injury for the start of the season.

Virgil Van Dijk turned 34 last month and signed what could be the last captain’s contract in the club last season, while Crystal Palace Captain Marc Guehi is likely to have a premium cost.

“He is the best defender in the world and I want to know it,” said Liverpool’s new number 15, arguing Van Dijk.

“His personality is great when he plays, he is so comfortable with the ball and without the ball. He is a leader.”

Perhaps surprisingly, Leoni was known for his air capacity, and he quickly established himself as regular in the success of the Battle of Parma against Rellegation after having initially entered the first team in November, starting with a 2-1 victory over Venezia.

“Giovanni Leoni’s debut must also be a satisfaction for the boy,” said Parma’s manager at that time, the former international of Italy Fabio Pics.

“He faced a game that was not particularly easy from a psychological point of view and did so with a certain solidity.”

Leoni, whose nickname is Leonino, the little lion, is called “smart, smart and technical player”.

Parma gave Leoni a new contract until 2029 in February. “You already feel at home,” he said at the time.

“I really like the city and the fans are brilliant. I felt a great excitement on my debut day and I am convinced that this club is the best for me to grow and increase the value of the work I do with the team every day.”

Leoni ‘mature’ against Romelu Lukaku

The perspective helped Parma to defeat Lazio and, as part of an uninvictive shot of seven games, Juventus, and then helped to wait for the victory of Napoli’s title. With a tie 0-0 In the final game of the season for the dreaded side of Antonio Conte.

“Giovanni had a very mature performance against a strong player like (Romelu) Lukaku,” said the then director of Parma and the former defender of Romania Cristian Chivu after the impressive result.

“We all know what it represents world football and Leoni finished the game with his high, more mature and more aware of his qualities.

“It predicts this guy will have a great future and deserves it after today.”

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Giovanni Lions statistics

Padova turned Leoni into the youngest professional debutant of the 2023/24 season in Italy when he debuted in the C -series club as a 16 -year -old.

A loans switch followed in February 2024 at the B -series club, Sampdoria, who signed Leoni permanently in a three -year agreement in June.

Parma kept sheets clean in three of Leoni’s last six games, ending in 14 games and three substitute appearances.

Leoni scored his only goal for Parma with a flying head in a 2-1 defeat in Cagliarri at the age of 18 years and 50 days, marking his sixth series A appearing in the record of Marco Rossi as the youngest defender who scored for Parma in the first flight.

He was sent during the first half of Parma’s later game against Rome to deny a clear opportunity and received three yellow letters in total.

Stats of Giovanni Leoni Italy

The ex -international under 17 Leoni was called at the level of less than 19 years shortly after making his Parma Arc, with five of his six euro qualification games between November and March.

He was part of the defenses that he kept the sheets clean when Italy won Montenegro, Bosnia, Greece and France and played in his tie at home 2-2 against Spain.

Italy called Leoni in his Pre-U21 Euro 2025 Squad But he was not asked for the final squad, which contained Brentford on the right side of Michael Kayode, Brighton and Hove Albion Center-Back Diego Coppola, Wilfried Gnonto by Luca Koleosho and Leeds United.

Transfers of Liverpool 2025/26

The Florian Wirtz midfielder is Liverpool’s most expensive offer in the transfer window, joining Bayer Leverkusen by a quota that could climb a British record 116 million £, while Wideman Jeremie Frimpong signed from Leverkusen for £ 29.5 in May.

Front Hugo Ekitike Signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £ 69 million and required four minutes to mark the workshop in the defeat of the community shield against Crystal Palace of Wembley Stadium on August 10.

Ombudsman Milos Kerkez reached £ 40 million from Bournemouth and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who cost Valencia £ 25 million in 2024 and spent last season in the Spanish club.

Hungary International International Armin Pecsi has also arrived from Puskas Akademia for 1.5 million pounds and his goalkeeper Freddie Woodman has signed from Preston North End in a free move.

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