Aston Villa Confirm Zion Suzuki & Matteo Ruggeri Signings

Aston Villa have confirmed the signings of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and left-back Matteo Ruggeri as manager Unai Emery continues to strengthen his squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

According to Ireporter Online, Japan international Suzuki has joined the English club from Parma in a deal worth around £30 million, while Italian defender Ruggeri arrived from Atletico Madrid for approximately £17 million.

The 23-year-old Suzuki’s move to Villa Park comes despite the collapse of Emi Martinez’s proposed transfer to Juventus after the two clubs failed to reach an agreement over the goalkeeper’s valuation.

Martinez, who played a key role in Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph in May and Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, now faces uncertainty over his future at the club.

Villa see Suzuki as a potential long-term successor and believe the Japanese goalkeeper can establish himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper for several years.

Suzuki spent two seasons with Parma, making 59 appearances and helping the Italian side finish 13th in Serie A last season.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Ruggeri has been brought in to strengthen the left side of Villa’s defence following Lucas Digne’s move to European champions Paris Saint-Germain on August 9.

Although Ruggeri is yet to make his senior debut for Italy, he has gained significant experience in Serie A. He made more than 100 appearances for Atalanta and was part of the team that won the Europa League in 2024 before joining Atletico Madrid last summer.

Both new signings could be handed their Aston Villa debuts when the club begin their Premier League campaign against Brighton on Sunday.