Liverpool have completed the signing of centre-back Giovanni Leoni, with the Italian agreeing a six-year contract upon his £26 million move from Parma.
Leoni has become the ninth new arrival of a particularly busy summer for Liverpool, after terms were agreed with Parma on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old then underwent a medical at the AXA Training Centre before the Premier League champions announced the transfer.
Liverpool have paid an initial £26 million to secure the deal, with Parma set to earn more dependent on various add-ons, while Leoni has signed a six-year contract and will wear the No. 15 shirt.
The paperwork was not completed in time for involvement against Bournemouth on the opening night of the new Premier League campaign, but he will be in attendance at Anfield.
“It’s one of the best clubs in the world. It’s not possible to say no to this club,” Leoni told the club’s official website.
“Yes, [it was] easy – because it’s one of the best clubs in the world. I didn’t say no!”
This Is Anfield understands suggestions of a loan move back to Serie A were quickly dismissed as the Reds beat the likes of Inter Milan, Man United and Newcastle to his signature.
Instead, Leoni will join as part of Arne Slot‘s first-team squad and strengthen the centre-back ranks alongside Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.
The Italy youth international could make his debut before the end of the month, with a trip to Newcastle to come next on August 25.
Liverpool’s deal for Leoni brings the total spend for the summer so far to £321.2 million, following moves for the likes of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Their shopping is not expected to end there, either, with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi another centre-back target and Newcastle‘s Alexander Isak the focus as Slot looks to replace Darwin Nunez.
Leoni made 17 appearances in his sole campaign at Parma and is yet to even debut for Italy’s U21s, but he is widely regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe.
He joins Liverpool as a replacement of sorts for Jarell Quansah, who joined Bayer Leverkusen for £35 million earlier in the summer – with the Anfield club retaining a buy-back clause.