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Giovanni Leoni will be in attendance at Liverpool's opening Premier League game against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday Liverpool have signed 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Italian side Parma for a fee of £26m plus add-ons. Leoni, who Reds boss Arne Slot confirmed the club had agreed a deal for earlier this week, has signed a contract until 2031. The Italy Under-19s centre-back began his career at Padova and had a short spell at Sampdoria before joining Parma last summer. Leoni played 17 games in his first campaign in Serie A last season, attracting interest from both Milan clubs, but has opted for a move abroad. He said it was "not possible to say no" to Liverpool. "Because it's one of the best clubs in the world. It's not possible to say no to this club, " he told the club website. "[It was] easy - because it's one of the best clubs in the world. I didn't say no. " Leoni's transfer is subject to receiving international clearance and a work permit. Giovanni Leoni only made his senior debut in 2023, playing in the Italian third tier for Padova as a 16-year-old, but just two years later he has joined the Premier League champions. Liverpool have been looking for reinforcements in central defence since selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen last month, and although Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi remains very much in their sights, Leoni would provide extra cover in an area where the Reds are potentially light. After all, captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate were their only fit senior central defenders for the Community Shield. With Van Dijk now 34, Liverpool need to have an eye on the future. Eighteen-year-old Leoni certainly ticks that box but also looks ready now, despite only establishing himself in Parma's starting line-up in the second half of last season. With just 14 top-flight starts under his belt, he has not played as much as fellow highly rated teenage centre-backs Pau Cubarsi at Barcelona, Mamadou Sarr at Strasbourg or Real Madrid's Dean Huijsen, but his stats are impressive. At 6ft 5in (1. 96m) he is exceptional in the air, ranking in the top 10% for aerial duels won in Serie A last season. At Parma, Leoni played in the middle of the back three or as the right centre-back and, as well as his aerial strength, he is also composed in possession, especially given his lack of experience. He will probably have to be patient for his chances. But the opportunity to develop his game with the Premier League champions and learn from Van Dijk, who he has previously called his inspiration, appears to have helped clinch the move. Latest Liverpool news, analysis and fan views Get Liverpool news sent straight to your phone Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Premier League: Ekitike scores on debut as Liverpool lead Bournemouth League opener stopped after Semenyo reports racist abuse Bethell to become England's youngest men's captain Jeremy, Richard and James embark on an epic road trip across Vietnam The inside story of the CIA continues Was Lucy Letby rightfully convicted? Are women-only dating advice groups helpful or harmful? Sutton's opening-weekend predictions v Tom Grennan and AI Why Liverpool's spending spree has piled pressure and scrutiny on Slot Rooney on 'scary' 2010 visit from balaclava-clad men Red Roses partner with Barbie before World Cup Smith hits fifty as Spirit end Rockets' perfect start. Video Smith hits fifty as Spirit end Rockets' perfect start A bold new era of football on BBC Sport: Your game, your season Premier League predictions 2025-26: BBC Sport pundits pick their top four How will your club fare? Phil Mc Nulty's Premier League predictions Watch: Mic'd up Livingstone captains team in real time. Video Watch: Mic'd up Livingstone captains team in real time What's new in the Premier League this season? Wildcards, breakouts and new faces - 22 Premier League players to watch 'He has made young players dream' - the making of Liverpool icon Salah What is multi-club ownership in football? Video What is multi-club ownership in football? Lewandowski, Man Utd and the transfer that got away. Video Lewandowski, Man Utd and the transfer that got away Why have Ferrari been unable to win a title since 2008? Owners worth billions, so why might Red Bull era dawn slowly at Newcastle? When England won by two runs - the greatest ever Test match? Video When England won by two runs - the greatest ever Test match? Becky Zerlentes - the first female boxer to die in fight in US Hansie Cronje, match-fixing and plane crash that left a complex legacy Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.