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Liverpool has officially announced the signing of 18-year-old center-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma, but the young defender won't be involved against AFC Bournemouth as the new Premier League season gets underway.

Leoni has joined Liverpool for an initial $35 million, though that fee could rise to $40 million with potential add-ons.

The Italian defender has penned a six-year contract through 2031, after Liverpool beat Newcastle United to the signing.

While Leoni has completed a preseason with Parma before making the move, Liverpool had to register him by noon on Thursday to make him eligible for the Premier League opener.

However, for the second time this transfer window, Liverpool swooped in to hijack the deal.

Liverpool signed Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth $106 million earlier this summer.

Giovanni Leoni has signed for Liverpool through 2031

The full-backs are expected to play a crucial role this season, as Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid this summer and Andrew Robertson struggled last season.

Kostas Tsimikas is also linked with an exit before the end of the window, but Conor Bradley has signed a new long-term deal

Van Dijk joined Mohamed Salah in signing an extension last season, but Konate's future remains uncertain.

Like Guehi, Konate is out of contract next summer, and Liverpool has been unable to resolve his situation
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