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Tag: Zion Suzuki

  • Ghanaian-Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki snubs Man Utd for Belgian club STVV

    Ghanaian-Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki snubs Man Utd for Belgian club STVV

    Talented Ghanaian-Japanese goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki made a surprising decision to reject an offer from Manchester United and instead join Belgian club STVV.

    Despite United reaching an agreement with his former team, Urawa Red Diamonds, the 20-year-old opted for a move to the Belgian Pro League side, STVV.

    Manchester United believed that Suzuki needed more time and development before he could have a significant impact in the Premier League.

    Following the recent arrival of Andre Onana as their new number-one goalkeeper, Manchester United is still actively seeking another goalkeeper in the transfer market this summer.

    In contrast, Tom Heaton, the 37-year-old goalkeeper for Manchester United, will be staying at the club after positive discussions with manager Erik ten Hag.

    Heaton was appointed captain for United’s recent 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in Dublin and is encouraged by the increased playing time he has been receiving.

    Zion Suzuki’s international eligibility adds an interesting dimension to his career, as he can represent Japan, Ghana, or the USA.

    He has already shown promise with the Japanese youth teams, and his six appearances and four clean sheets in the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup with the U21 squad showcase his potential as a multi-national goalkeeper.

  • Man Utd nears completing signing of Japanese-Ghanaian goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki

    Man Utd nears completing signing of Japanese-Ghanaian goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki

    Renowned English Premier League club, Manchester United, is reportedly in advanced talks to secure the services of Zion Suzuki, a talented Japanese goalkeeper with Ghanaian heritage from his mother’s side.

    Born in 2003 in Arkansas, USA, Suzuki is the son of a Japanese father and a Ghanaian Ewe mother, which adds a unique cultural aspect to his background.

    Under the guidance of manager Erik ten Hag, Manchester United has been closely monitoring Suzuki’s progress for the past six years, specifically during his tenure with Urawa Red Diamonds.

    The club has now taken a significant step by making a formal bid of £5 million to acquire the young goalkeeper.

    Reports of Manchester United’s interest in Suzuki first surfaced through Japanese news portal Sponichi Annex, and since 2017, the club has been carefully observing his development.

    If the deal materializes, it would mark an exciting move for both Suzuki and Manchester United.

    If the deal goes through, it would become a record transfer fee for a J League club, surpassing the £4.5 million Celtic paid for Kyogo Furuhashi in 2021.

    While Suzuki has represented Japan at various youth levels, he is yet to make his senior international debut.

    He turned professional with Urawa in 2018 at the age of 16 but has made only eight appearances in the J League, mainly serving as the backup to first-choice goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa.

    Manchester United’s pursuit of Inter Milan’s Andre Onana has been well-documented, but financial constraints have made negotiations difficult.

    With a reported summer budget of £100 million, the Red Devils are seeking a bargain, and Suzuki, available for £5 million, fits that criteria.

    With the departure of David De Gea and uncertainty surrounding Dean Henderson’s future, Manchester United is in need of goalkeeping reinforcements.

    While Suzuki may be viewed as one for the future, his potential arrival could provide long-term stability in the club’s goalkeeping department.

  • Zion Suzuki: All you need to know

    Zion Suzuki: All you need to know

    Manchester United is reportedly on the brink of securing the signature of Zion Suzuki, a Ghanaian-Japanese goalkeeper currently playing for Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan.

    According to reports from Japanese outlet Sponichi, Manchester United has submitted a £5 million offer to acquire Suzuki’s services.

    If the deal goes through, Suzuki would become the most expensive signing in the history of the Japanese top-flight league.

    Manchester United has been monitoring Suzuki since 2017 and has closely followed his development from his early days in youth football.

    The news of the potential transfer has generated surprise and intrigue, as Suzuki is relatively unknown in European football circles.

    Birthplace: Zion Suzuki was born on August 19, 2002, in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. His father is Ghanaian Ewe, and his mother is Japanese.

    Youth Career: Suzuki began his goalkeeping journey in 2013 with Urawa Red Diamonds, a Japanese club.

    He progressed through the ranks and earned a spot in the club’s first team in 2021, featuring in six matches in the Japanese J1 league.

    Professional Career at Urawa Reds: After his promotion to the Urawa first team, Suzuki made his debut in May, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory against Vegalta Sendai.

    He has since maintained an impressive record, recording ten more clean sheets in 28 matches.

    Japanese National Team: As a dual-national, Suzuki is eligible to represent Japan, Ghana, or the USA.

    He has represented Japan in various youth categories, starting with the U15 team in 2016.

    Suzuki has progressed through the U16, U17, U18, and currently the U21 level. He notably participated in the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup, where Japan’s U21 team finished third. Suzuki played six matches in the tournament, keeping four clean sheets.