Villa sign goalkeeper Suzuki and left-back Ruggeri

What the report says

Aston Villa have completed the signings of Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Italian left-back Matteo Ruggeri, in a combined deal worth about £47m, according to BBC Sport Football. Suzuki arrives from Parma for a reported fee in the region of £30m, while Ruggeri joins from Atletico Madrid for around £17m.

The moves add to Villa’s squad ahead of the Premier League season and may affect the club’s goalkeeping picture after Emi Martinez’s proposed transfer to Juventus collapsed over the weekend. BBC Sport reported that Villa see the 23-year-old Suzuki as a long-term first-choice goalkeeper, while 24-year-old Ruggeri is expected to fill the left-back role after Lucas Digne moved to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.

Suzuki had spent two years at Parma, making 59 appearances and helping the Serie A club finish 13th last season. Ruggeri previously won the Europa League with Atalanta in 2024 before a move to Atletico last summer, and he has represented Italy at age-group level but not yet at senior level. Both players could make their Villa debuts in Sunday’s league opener at Brighton.

The BBC report also included comments from Suzuki’s former coach Dennis Rudel, who praised the goalkeeper’s physical strength, distribution and mental focus. That background helps explain why Villa may view Suzuki as a high-ceiling signing, though the club will be under pressure to adapt quickly as they begin the new campaign.