Liverpool sign Parma teenager Leoni / Photo: Piero CRUCIATTI - AFP
-
Lille goalkeeper saves three penalties in Europa League win
-
Frenchwoman who escaped Nazi massacre dies aged 100
-
Protests worldwide condemn Israeli interception of Gaza flotilla
-
US regulator approves new generic abortion pill, conservatives outraged
-
'Resentment': Synagogue attack shocks Manchester Jewish community
-
Villa win in Europa League as Forest and Scottish clubs lose
-
US farmers hit by trade war to get 'substantial' aid: Treasury chief
-
'Terrorist attack' on UK synagogue kills two: police
-
Trump declares 'armed conflict' with drug cartels
-
Pulisic, McKennie headline US squad for October friendlies
-
US stocks end at records as government shutdown drags on
-
Rallies against Israel interception of Gaza flotilla sweep Europe
-
Trump ally threatens immigration sweep at Bad Bunny Super Bowl show
-
Putin vows 'significant' response as tension with Europe flares
-
Unbeaten Eagles still seeking answers in NFL clash with Broncos
-
Boom or bubble: How long can the AI investment craze last?
-
Two killed in UK synagogue 'terrorist attack' on Yom Kippur
-
Israel PM praises navy for intercepting Gaza bound flotilla
-
Kenya president vows more 'professionalism' in anti-doping agency
-
US Treasury chief says 'fully prepared' to support struggling Argentina
-
Blinken says Biden laid groundwork for Trump's Gaza plan
-
Musk joins 'cancel Netflix' campaign
-
Tech stocks fuel Asian and European gains, Wall Street wobbles
-
Bangladesh cruise to win over Pakistan in Women's World Cup
-
Tesla car sales lifted by end of US electric auto tax credit
-
Two dead, four wounded in UK synagogue 'terrorist attack'
-
Error 404: 48 hours of confusion in Afghanistan during internet blackout
-
Brazilian music legend Milton Nascimento has dementia: family
-
Trump piles pain on Democrats over US government shutdown
-
Relaxed Verstappen has 'nothing to lose' as he hunts down McLarens
-
FIFA 'cannot solve geopolitical problems' like Gaza, says Infantino
-
Piastri vows to learn 'tough lessons' after Baku disaster
-
Djokovic says players 'not united enough' over tennis calendar
-
Days of violent anti-government protests grip Pakistan's Kashmir
-
Irish singer CMAT delays UK tour over infected wisdom tooth
-
Mateta handed France call-up for World Cup qualifiers
-
Gauff powers into Beijing semi-finals and date with Anisimova
-
Hamilton thanks 'overwhelming' response to dog Roscoe's death
-
Trump ramps up pressure on Democrats over US government shutdown
-
Gauff says more Slam money 'important' for future of tennis
-
Siraj takes 4-40 as India dominate West Indies in first Test
-
Strange 'rogue' planet spotted guzzling matter like a star
-
France to try Chinese captain of Russia 'shadow fleet' vessel
-
Two dead, three wounded in UK synagogue attack
-
Germany reviews warship order after delays
-
Norris says Verstappen 'genuinely a challenger' as F1 title race hots up
-
35 years later, beloved East German car still sputters on
-
Japan's Arc hopes take a hit with poor draw, Minnie Hauk gets plum stall
-
Rescuers say no more signs of life in rubble of collapsed Indonesian school
-
Stock markets surge on tech rally, US rate hopes
NYSE - LSE
Liverpool sign Parma teenager Leoni
Premier League champions Liverpool signed Parma's teenage defender Giovanni Leoni on Friday in a deal worth an initial £26 million ($35 million).
Italy Under-19 international Leoni agreed a six-year contract with the Reds.
Leoni's signing is subject to international clearance and a work permit.
He is due to be at Anfield to watch the Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday.
Once the paperwork is finalised, the 18-year-old is expected to go straight into Arne Slot's squad to fill the gap left by Jarell Quansah's move to Bayer Leverkusen in the close-season.
"Because it's one of the best clubs in the world it's not possible to say no to this club," Leoni said.
"I'm very happy to be here. It's a really great sensation and I'm honoured to be here.
"I'm so honoured. When I saw this (interest from Liverpool) I said, 'Wow, this is crazy.'."
In 2023, after making his debut for Padova, Leoni said he was "inspired" by Virgil van Dijk and now he has a chance to learn from the Liverpool captain at close quarters.
Ibrahima Konate is Van Dijk's established partner at the heart of Liverpool's defence.
Leoni will be vying with the injury-prone Joe Gomez for the role of leading understudy to Liverpool's centre-back duo.
Slot has now spent over £270 million on new signings since Liverpool's title triumph last term.
Prior to landing Leoni, he had splashed out on Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike, with a £110 million bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle.
Liverpool also remain interested in Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, although discussions have stalled over a fee for a player in the final year of his contract.
Ch.Kahalev--AMWN