Five things Liverpool fans might not know about new arrival Giovanni Leoni
Liverpool have agreed a deal for Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, who is set to come to the Premier League as a relative unknown.
The Reds have moved for Leoni following Jarell Quansah’s departure to Bayer Leverkusen, and a lack of depth in their centre-back department.
Arne Slot has been busy this summer adding four major additions to his squad, but Liverpool’s defeat in the Community Shield to Crystal Palace highlighted moments or rare defensive lapse and Virgil van Dijk was criticised for his display.
Below are five things you may not know about Liverpool’s new defender Leoni as he arrives in the Premier League.
Where does Leoni come from?
Leoni was born in the Italian capital of Rome in 2006, making the Italian 18 years old on his move to Liverpool.
He started his career though at Vigontina, in Padua, a city in Northern Italy not far west from Venice.
Who has Leoni played for?
Leoni was previously at Parma in Serie A last season, his first and only campaign at the club, helping them avoid relegation and finish 16th in the table.
Having begun at Vigontina he continued his youth career at Cittadella before joining Padova, Serie B side.
It was at Padova that Leoni made his first senior appearance before joining Sampdoria on loan in February 2024, then managed by Andrea Pirlo.
That summer he made the move to Sampdoria permanently, but only spent two months there before electing to join Parma.
After a season with Parma, Leoni will now join Liverpool.
| Apperances | 17 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
Who has Leoni come up against?
In Serie A, Leoni has come up against some of Europe’s best strikers including former Chelsea and Manchester United player Romelu Lukaku and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic.
Towards the back end of last campaign, Leoni was part of Parma sides that kept clean sheets against Napoli, Juventus and away at Fiorentina.
Parma used a back three in these fixtures, so Leoni will have to adapt to playing in a back four at Liverpool.
What has been the most memorable moment in Leoni’s career so far?
Leoni would regard his breakthrough at Parma last season and the subsequent move to Liverpool as his most memorable moments so far.
The 18-year-old still has his best years ahead of him and will be hoping to help Liverpool retain their Premier League crown this season and secure a cup.
Leoni is still yet to make an appearance for the senior Italian side, but he has featured for the under-18’s and under-19 teams.
The defender will hope his move to Liverpool gets him more recognition for a place in the senior squad.
Who is Leoni’s idol?
Leoni will be playing alongside his idol next season, as the Italian looks up to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Chris Smalling was also mentioned as a player that Leoni has taken inspiration from, as per talkSPORT, [13 August].
Smalling also played in Italy for AS Roma after his nine-year association with Manchester United ended.