Liverpool announced on their official website on Friday that they have officially signed Italy U19s international defender wonderkid Giovanni Leoni from Parma.

According to Liverpool's official statement, Leoni has signed on a long-term six-year deal with the club which runs until the summer of 2031. He will also wear the No. 15 jersey, which was vacated after legendary England international striker Daniel Sturridge and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had left the club.

Contrary to some online reports, Leoni will immediately join the Reds' first team, rather than initially representing their U21s team.

According to Sky Sports' renowned Italian transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool will pay Parma a £26 million transfer fee to sign Leoni, excluding a £4 million in potential add-ons. Parma will also receive a 20% of the player's future sell-on clause.

After completing his joining procedures, Leoni, who was interviewed by the Liverpool official website for the first time, said: "I'm so happy to be here. It feels great, and I'm honoured to be here."

"The AXA Training Centre is a fantastic training center. It's a truly top-notch training center, and the facilities and atmosphere are fantastic. I haven't met my teammates yet, but I might meet them tomorrow."

"Coming to Liverpool was a very easy decision because it's one of the best clubs in the world and I couldn't turn down such an opportunity."

"I'm an intelligent, smart, and technically skilled player, and I hope to achieve great progress and success with my new teammates in training, on the pitch, and in the Premier League and the Champions League."

About Giovanni Leoni

Leoni, who is currently only 17 years-old, was born in Rome, Italy, on December 21, 2006. Standing at 1.95 meters tall, he primarily plays center back, but can also play at left or right back.

Leoni played for the youth academy of non-league club Vigontina as a child. He joined Cittadella's youth academy at the age of nine, then joined Padova's youth academy in 2019 and completed his Padova first-team debut by coming on a substitute in March 2023. At just 16 years old, he broke the record as the youngest debutant in Italian football that year.

On the of the 2024 winter transfer window deadline day, Leoni joined Sampdoria on-loan with an option to buy. His rights were later bought out for €1.5 million.

However, before he could prepare for the new season, Leoni was sold to Parma for €5 million in August of the same year.

Last season, Leoni made 17 appearances for the Serie A club in all competitions, scoring one goal.