Zion Suzuki joins Aston Villa after PSG and Juventus links

Zion Suzuki has joined Aston Villa from Parma, ending a month-long transfer saga that had seen the Japan goalkeeper linked with Paris St-Germain and Juventus.

The 23-year-old was officially announced as a new Villa player on Wednesday, alongside Italy left-back Matteo Ruggeri, as the Premier League club strengthened their squad ahead of the new season.

Suzuki had emerged as one of the most closely watched goalkeepers following the World Cup, where he established himself as Japan’s first-choice goalkeeper. He has won 28 caps for his country and was expected to attract interest from several major European clubs.

However, instead of moving to PSG or joining Juventus on loan, Suzuki will continue his career in England with Aston Villa, where he will also play in the Champions League.

The transfer brings an end to speculation that had surrounded the Parma goalkeeper for several weeks. Reports put the fee at €30 million, with a further €5 million potentially payable in bonuses.

Suzuki, who is of Japanese, American and Ghanaian descent, is making a significant step forward in his career with the move to Birmingham.

He played for Belgian club Sint-Truiden two seasons ago before moving to Parma, and his performances have now earned him a move to the Premier League.

At Villa, Suzuki will continue to play alongside Emiliano Martínez, who remains at the club after previously being rejected by Juventus.

The goalkeeper will turn 24 in two days as he begins a new chapter in English football. His arrival also means Villa have secured one of the players who had been at the centre of a prolonged transfer battle following his rise to prominence with Japan.

Ruggeri has also joined Villa as part of the club’s latest recruitment activity. The Italian defender enjoyed the best season of his career during his only campaign with Atlético Madrid, making 47 appearances and providing seven assists.

He played in 15 of Atlético’s 16 Champions League matches, completing the full 90 minutes in 12 of those games, as the Spanish club reached the semi-finals.

Atlético had signed Ruggeri from Atalanta for €17 million last summer, before selling him to Villa for a reported fee of around €20 million, according to The Athletic.

Villa had been looking for a replacement for Lucas Digne, who left the club for PSG.

For Suzuki, however, the destination is Birmingham rather than Paris, with the Japanese goalkeeper now set to begin his Premier League and Champions League journey at Villa Park.