Jakarta – Premier League champions Liverpool have officially completed the transfer of talented young Italian defender Giovanni Leoni from Serie A club Parma in the 2025 summer transfer window.

This deal marks a strategic move by the Reds to strengthen their back line under coach Arne Slot.

“The 18-year-old defender joined Liverpool after completing a medical and signing a long-term contract at the AXA Training Centre today,” the Reds said in a statement on their official website on Friday.

Leoni officially signed a long-term contract until June 2031. Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the transfer process went smoothly without the option of a loan back to Parma, as Arne Slot wanted to immediately integrate Leoni into the first-team squad.

According to Romano’s report, the player’s transfer fee is 35 million euros (around Rp. 659 billion) with a resale clause that would benefit Parma if Leoni is sold by Liverpool in the future.

Leoni in his interview with Liverpool revealed the reasons for choosing to join the English club.

According to him, Liverpool is one of the best clubs in the world so he didn’t have to think twice when he received an offer to play here.

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“There was no way I could turn down this club’s offer. Yes, I accepted the offer because Liverpool is one of the best clubs,” said Leoni.

The tall defender impressed for Parma last season. In 17 Serie A appearances, 14 of which were as a starter, Leoni scored once against Cagliari.

Leoni began his professional career at Padova (2023-2024) and played for Sampdoria before joining Parma in 2024. The Padova academy graduate also has experience representing the Italian U-18 and U-19 national teams, confirming his status as one of the promising young center-backs in Europe.

Leoni’s transfer is part of Liverpool’s broader strategy to strengthen their backline following Jarell Quansah’s departure to Bayer Leverkusen and the uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konate’s future.

Leoni becomes the Reds’ ninth signing of the 2025 summer transfer window, following the likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Freddie Woodman, Armin Pecsi, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Will Wright.