Zion Suzuki has had to overcome costly mistakes and racist abuse on the way to becoming the most expensive Japanese goalkeeper in history.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old will be the first Japanese goalkeeper in Premier League history when he seals his move to Aston Villa from Italian team Parma for up to 35 million euros ($40 million).<\/p>\n
Suzuki, who was previously linked with Manchester United, was born in New Jersey to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother and moved to Japan at a young age.<\/p>\n
After coming through Japanese football he moved to Belgium then Italy and has already won 28 caps for his country.<\/p>\n
Suzuki, who appeared set to join Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain before Villa came calling, believes he has the tools to make it in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
"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.<\/p>\n
"Doing the simple things well consistently. Playing with the determination not to concede."<\/p>\n
Suzuki rose through the ranks at J. League side Urawa Reds and made his international debut after only a handful of appearances for his club.<\/p>\n
He moved to Belgian side Sint-Truiden in 2023 despite reported interest from United, reasoning that he wanted to get more experience as a first choice.<\/p>\n
He was handed Japan's number one jersey for the Asian Cup in January 2024 but turned in a series of blundering performances before they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
The young stopper suffered online racial abuse after a group-stage defeat to Iraq.<\/p>\n
Suzuki said of the abuse: "I'm not about to let it beat me.<\/p>\n
"I want to come back at them by producing good results."<\/p>\n
Suzuki continued as Japan's number one after the Asian Cup and gradually built up his reputation.<\/p>\n
He moved to Parma in 2024 to become the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in Italy's Serie A.<\/p>\n