Zion Suzuki has overcome costly errors and racist abuse during his rise to becoming the most expensive Japanese goalkeeper in football history.
The 23-year-old is set to become the first Japanese goalkeeper in the Premier League after completing his move from Italian side Parma to Aston Villa for a fee that could reach €35 million ($40 million).
The Athletic reports that Suzuki will sign a five-year deal, with Villa’s current first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez potentially departing the club.
Born in New Jersey to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother, Suzuki moved to Japan at a young age and developed through the country’s football system before spells in Belgium and Italy. He has earned 28 international caps.
The goalkeeper, who was reportedly close to joining Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain before Villa intervened, believes he has what it takes to succeed in England.
“Of course big saves are important but above all, I want to become a goalkeeper who brings stability to the team,” Suzuki told FIFA’s website ahead of the World Cup, where he played a central role in Japan reaching the last 32.
