Zion Suzuki

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 near Jerusalem. Suzuki's family later moved to Japan, settling in Urawa, Saitama, where he was raised. == 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 player to represent the club after Hidetoshi Nakata, who joined the club in mid-2001. On 17 August 2024, he made his league debut against Fiorentina, which ended in a 1–1 draw. == 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. ==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 • IFFHS Asian Men's Team of the Year: 2024, 2025 ==References==