Liverpool seal £26m Leoni signing and see him as potential Van Dijk successor
Defender joins from Parma on six-year contract
Other clubs including Newcastle wanted him
Liverpool have confirmed the signing of the 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma for an initial £26m. He has a six-year contract and is regarded by the club as a potential long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk.
Leoni was a target for other clubs, including Newcastle, and is expected to go straight into the first-team squad. The 6ft 4in defender has played for Italy’s under-18s and under-19s.
