Premier League champions Liverpool signed Parma’s teenage defender Giovanni Leoni on Friday in a deal price an preliminary £26 million ($35 million).
Italy Underneath-19 worldwide Leoni agreed a six-year contract with the Reds.
Leoni’s signing is topic to worldwide clearance and a piece allow.
He is because of be at Anfield to observe the Premier League opener in opposition to Bournemouth on Friday.
As soon as the paperwork is finalised, the 18-year-old is predicted to go straight into Arne Slot’s squad to fill the hole left by Jarell Quansah’s transfer to Bayer Leverkusen within the close-season.
“As a result of it is top-of-the-line golf equipment on the earth it is not attainable to say no to this membership,” Leoni stated.
“I am very joyful to be right here. It is a actually nice sensation and I am honoured to be right here.
“I am so honoured. After I noticed this (curiosity from Liverpool) I stated, ‘Wow, that is loopy.’.”
In 2023, after making his debut for Padova, Leoni stated he was “impressed” by Virgil van Dijk and now he has an opportunity to be taught from the Liverpool captain at shut quarters.
Ibrahima Konate is Van Dijk’s established accomplice on the coronary heart of Liverpool’s defence.
Leoni will likely be vying with the injury-prone Joe Gomez for the function of main understudy to Liverpool’s centre-back duo.
Slot has now spent over £270 million on new signings since Liverpool’s title triumph final time period.
Previous to touchdown Leoni, he had splashed out on Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike, with a £110 million bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle.
Liverpool additionally stay occupied with Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, though discussions have stalled over a charge for a participant within the ultimate 12 months of his contract.
