Giovanni Leoni (born 21 December 2006) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie B club Sampdoria, on loan from Padova.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 21 December 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Rome, Italy[1] | ||
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Sampdoria, on loan from Padova | ||
| Number | 46 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2009–2015 | Vigontina | ||
| 2015–2019 | Cittadella | ||
| 2019–2023 | Padova | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023– | Padova | 1 | (0) |
| 2024– | →Sampdoria (loan) | 8 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2024– | Italy U17 | 2 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:42, 14 April 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 03:42, 14 April 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career edit
Leoni was born in Rome and moved to Padua at the age of 5. He began playing football with Vigontina before moving to Cittadella, and finished his youth development at Padova.[3] He made his senior and professional debut with Padova as a late subtitute in a 3–2 Serie C win over AlbinoLeffe on 19 March 2023 at the age of 16 years and 3 months, making him the youngest professional footballer in Italy that season.[4] On 1 February 2024, he joined Sampdoria on loan until June 2016 with an option to buy for €1.5 million.[2]
International career edit
Leoni is a youth international for Italy, having been called up to the Italy U17s in March 2024.[5]
Playing style edit
A tall, strong and ambidextrous centre-back, Leoni can play as in the centre or right side of a three-man defense. He is very agile and skilled with his head. He is also a modern defender who is skilled in the build up game, and in covering spaces tactically.[2]
References edit
- ^ "Giovanni Leoni - Carriera - stagioni, presenze, goal - TuttoCalciatori.Net". www.tuttocalciatori.net.
- ^ a b c "Chi è Giovanni Leoni, il portafortuna di Pirlo che ha stregato Inter e Juventus". Calciomercato.com | Tutte le news sul calcio in tempo reale. 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Sampdoria, una forza da... Leoni! Le big sul difensore blucerchiato". 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Giovanni Leoni, il 2006 più giovane ad esordire tra i pro: "Ero teso, ma felice. I mister che ho avuto mi hanno insegnato molto"". Padova Calcio. 22 March 2023.
- ^ "Buona la prima per gli Azzurrini a Merano: sconfitta 2-1 l'Austria. Franceschini: "Stiamo crescendo partita dopo partita"". Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 21 March 2024.
External links edit
- Giovanni Leoni at Soccerway
- FIGC Profile