Liverpool FC have officially completed the signing of highly rated Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma in a deal worth €35 million. The 18-year-old defender has signed a long-term contract with the Premier League champions until June 2031.

Leoni's rapid rise through the ranks has been one of Italian football’s most compelling stories over the past two seasons. He made his professional debut for Padova in March 2023, just three months after turning 16. After impressing in his short stint, he joined Sampdoria on loan for the second half of the 2023–24 campaign in Serie B, where he featured in 12 matches and scored once.

His performances earned him a permanent move to Parma last summer, and the young defender made his mark in Serie A during the 2024–25 season, making 17 appearances and scoring one goal — a breakout year that caught the attention of Europe’s elite.

Benvenuto, Giovanni 👋 pic.twitter.com/xwG69VjOVZ

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2025