England's "Aston Villa" club has added two more footballers to its squad in the transfer market. The Birmingham club transferred Japan national team goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Italy national team defender Matteo Ruggeri. The club's press service announced this.
The 23-year-old Zion Suzuki moved to Aston Villa from Italy's Parma club. The Japanese goalkeeper had earlier been close to moving to France's PSG club. However, negotiations between the parties stalled at the final stage.
Suzuki moved to Parma from Belgium's Sint-Truiden club in 2024. He appeared in 22 matches for the Italian club last season. Aston Villa signed a contract with the Japanese goalkeeper valid until 2031. The transfer fee is approximately 30 million euros, with an additional 5 million euros in bonuses envisaged.
Matteo Ruggeri, meanwhile, moved to Aston Villa from Spain's Atletico Madrid club. The 24-year-old Italian defender played for the Madrid team for one season. Before that, Ruggeri played for Atalanta.
Ruggeri made 47 appearances for Atletico Madrid, providing 7 goal assists. Now he will continue his career in the English Premier League.
Thus, Aston Villa strengthened its squad with two more international-level footballers during the summer transfer window. Newly added to the team, Suzuki and Ruggeri have simultaneously filled the ranks of the Birmingham club.
