Done Deal! Aston Villa Lands Japanese Talent from Serie A as Martinez Replacement

Pulse Sports Team 14:40 - 18 August 2026

English football club Aston Villa has reached an agreement with Italian side FC Parma for the transfer of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The Villans will pay 30 million euros for the 23-year-old Japanese international, who is scheduled for a medical examination, according to The Athletic.

Suzuki is reportedly set to sign a five-year contract with last season's fourth-placed Premier League team, poised to become their new number one goalkeeper as Emiliano Martinez eyes a move away from the club. The Argentine is currently in talks with Juventus.

The Parma goalkeeper began his professional career in Japan with Urawa, making his debut as a teenager. After a year-long loan spell in Belgium, he moved to Italy in the summer of 2024. He has since played 57 league matches for the Serie A side and featured in all four of Japan's games at the recent World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.