Aston Villa sign Zion Suzuki and Matteo Ruggeri in £47m double deal
Aston Villa have completed the £47m double signing of Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Italian left-back Matteo Ruggeri ahead of their Premier League opener.
The 23-year-old shot-stopper arrives at Villa Park from Italian side Parma for a fee in the region of £30m.
Meanwhile, the highly-rated full-back joins the Midlands club in a deal worth £17m from La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid.
Both fresh arrivals could be in line to make their competitive debuts during Sunday’s domestic curtain-raiser away to Brighton.
Goalkeeping transition amid Martinez uncertainty
The acquisition of the Japanese international comes just days after Emiliano Martinez saw his proposed switch to Juventus collapse.
Negotiations broke down over the weekend when the two clubs were unable to agree upon an appropriate transfer fee for the Argentine.
The 2022 World Cup winner now faces a highly uncertain future in Birmingham following the breakdown of his move to the Serie A giants.
Securing a long-term number one
Villa executives reportedly view their newly acquired £30m goalkeeper as the definitive long-term starter for the next decade.
The former Parma stopper spent two impressive years in Italy, making 59 appearances and helping his side secure a 13th-place league finish last term.
Defensive reinforcements follow Digne departure
The signing of the 24-year-old defensive specialist directly addresses the void left by Lucas Digne earlier this month.
The French defender departed for European champions Paris St-Germain on 9 August, necessitating swift action in the transfer market.
Although yet to be capped at senior level by his country, the new defensive recruit brings significant continental pedigree to the squad.
He lifted the Europa League trophy with Atalanta in 2024 before completing a subsequent transfer to the Spanish capital last summer.