- Aston Villa confirmed permanent deals for Zion Suzuki and Matteo Ruggeri
- Villa agreed a total package of €35m for Suzuki, while reports said Ruggeri’s deal cost €25m plus up to €1.5m in bonuses, with other reports placing the fee in the region of €20m
- Suzuki joined after a proposed Paris Saint-Germain move collapsed, while Ruggeri arrived to strengthen left-back following Lucas Digne’s move to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this transfer window
Aston Villa Complete Two Permanent Additions
Aston Villa have moved decisively in the transfer market by confirming the arrivals of Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Serie A club Parma and Italian left-back Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid.
Suzuki has joined on a permanent transfer after Villa agreed a total package of €35m for the 23-year-old shot stopper. He has signed a five-year contract that will run until the summer of 2031.
Ruggeri has also completed a permanent move to Unai Emery’s side after spending the 2025-26 season with Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Ruggeri will wear the no.13 shirt during his first season at Villa Park.
Two new additions ✚ ✚ pic.twitter.com/wSOlFYBMxJ
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 19, 2026
Transfer Snapshot
| Player | Position | Previous club | Transfer details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Suzuki | Goalkeeper | Parma | Permanent transfer |
| Matteo Ruggeri | Left-back | Atletico Madrid | Permanent transfer |
Suzuki Deal Follows PSG Breakdown
Suzuki’s switch to Villa comes after negotiations over a move to Paris Saint-Germain broke down. Earlier in the window, the goalkeeper had been close to joining PSG, and reports stated that, if that transfer had gone through, he could then have been loaned to Juventus for the 2026-27 season. The move collapsed late in the process following last-minute requests from the player’s agents.
The Japan international has spent the last two seasons in Serie A with Parma, making 57 appearances in the Italian top flight during that period. Before his time in Italy, he had spells in Belgium with Sint-Truiden and in Japan with Urawa Red Diamonds.
Ruggeri Adds Depth After Digne Departure
Ruggeri becomes another significant defensive addition for Aston Villa and strengthens Emery’s options at left-back after Lucas Digne joined Paris Saint-Germain earlier this transfer window.
The former Italy U21 player came through the Atalanta academy system and spent around 14 years on La Dea’s books before moving to Atletico Madrid on a five-year contract last summer. During his season with Atleti, he made 47 appearances in all competitions, including 26 in La Liga and 15 in the Champions League.
