Villa seal Suzuki and Ruggeri signings for combined £47m

Aston Villa have officially announced the signings of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and left-back Matteo Ruggeri in a combined deal worth £47 million, according to BBC Sport. The 23-year-old Suzuki arrives from Italian side Parma for around £30 million, while 24-year-old Ruggeri joins from La Liga's Atlético Madrid for £17 million.

Villa secure Suzuki as long-term goalkeeper after Martínez setback

The signing of the Japan international comes after Emi Martínez's proposed move to Juventus collapsed over the weekend due to fee disagreements. The Argentina World Cup winner now faces an uncertain future at Villa Park following the failed Serie A switch. The club views Suzuki as their number one for the next decade, positioning him as a cornerstone of their goalkeeper position going forward.

The 23-year-old has 28 caps for Japan and spent two years at Parma, making 59 appearances in Serie A and helping the club finish 13th last season.

Ruggeri replaces Digne on the left flank

Ruggeri, an uncapped Italian international, arrives to fill the void left by Lucas Digne, who joined European champions Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. The 24-year-old defender won the Europa League with Atalanta in 2024 after more than 100 appearances for the Serie A side before moving to Atlético last summer.

Both players could make their debuts in Sunday's Premier League opener at Brighton. Dennis Rudel, Suzuki's former coach at Sint-Truiden in Belgium, praised the goalkeeper's exceptional physical attributes: "when he can reach the ball it will be a 90-95% save, whereas other keepers might just touch it and it goes in," the German coach told BBC Sport, comparing Suzuki's strength to the cartoon character Asterix.