TOKYO (Bernama-Kyodo): Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has joined English Premier League outfit Aston Villa on a permanent transfer from Parma in the Italian top division, the Birmingham-based club announced Wednesday, Kyodo News reported.
Suzuki, who turns 24 on Friday, played all four games for Japan at this summer's World Cup in North America, making a string of big saves for the Samurai Blue, who exited the tournament with a 2-1 loss to Brazil in the round of 32.
In their official announcement, Villa described Suzuki as "one of the game's brightest prospects in his position."
The Urawa Reds youth product spent a season at Sint-Truiden in Belgium from the summer of 2023 before spending the next two campaigns with Parma.
The 190-centimetre Suzuki, who was born in the United States to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother, made his senior Japan debut in 2022 and has 28 caps so far.
Renowned for his strength, athleticism and shot-stopping ability, Suzuki attracted close attention during the summer transfer window and had been linked with a potential move to French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Aston Villa will compete in the 2026-2027 Champions League after finishing fourth in the English top-flight last term and winning the Europa League.
-- BERNAMA-KYODO
