Zion Suzuki

is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Aston Villa. Born in the United States, he represents the Japan national team.

Suzuki began his professional career with Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds, signing his first professional contract at the age of 16 years, becoming the youngest player in the club's history to do so.

He made his senior debut on 2 March 2021 in a J.League Cup match against Shonan Bellmare.

Early life Suzuki was born in Newark, New Jersey, United States, to a Ghanaian father and a Japanese mother. He was named after the biblical location of Mount Zion in Jerusalem. His family moved to Japan while he was young and settled in Urawa, Saitama, where he grew up.

Suzuki took up football in kindergarten, following his older brother into the sport, and played as a goalkeeper from his years at elementary school. He attended N High School, a correspondence school, while in the youth team.

Club career

Urawa Red Diamonds Suzuki's professional career began with Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds when he was 16 years and five months old, making him the youngest player in the history of the club to sign a professional contract. Suzuki made his debut for the club on 2 March 2021 in the J.League Cup match against Shonan Bellmare where he kept a clean sheet. His first appearance in the J1 League came on 9 May 2021 in a match against Vegalta Sendai where he kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 win.

Parma On 15 July 2024, Serie A club Parma announced the signing of Suzuki to a five-year contract. He became the second Japanese national team player to represent the club after Hidetoshi Nakata, who joined the club in mid-2001. He made his league debut against Fiorentina on 17 August, which ended in a 1–1 draw.

On 12 August 2026, Suzuki was reported to move to Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of around €35 million. However, days later, the move had collapsed over reported issues over agent fees and playing time.

Aston Villa On 19 August 2026, Suzuki signed for Premier League club Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee, reported to be an initial €30 million, which could rise to €35 million with bonuses.

International career Suzuki has represented Japan at multiple levels in youth football. On 19 July 2022, he earned his first cap with Japan's national team, playing the full match against Hong Kong in the 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, which his side won 6–0.

He played in Japan's opening match of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, a 4–2 win against Vietnam. He also played in their following 1–2 defeat to Iraq, logging one save.

On 15 May 2026, Suzuki was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Urawa Red Diamonds AFC Champions League: 2022 Emperor's Cup: 2021 Japanese Super Cup: 2022

Japan EAFF E-1 Football Championship: 2022

Individual Japan Pro-Footballers Association Best XI: 2023, 2024, 2025 IFFHS Asian Men's Team of the Year: 2024, 2025