© Dick Demey
STVV permanently takes over goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from the Urawa Reds. The 21-year-old Japanese number one was rented until further notice, but that contract has since been converted into a multi-year commitment.
From his first day on Belgian soil, Suzuki was given every opportunity to develop further at STVV. The Japanese wants to continue with that momentum in the coming months and years and feels good in Sint-Truiden. Stayen is convinced that the goalkeeper still has a lot of room for progression, so the Truiense board included the option in his contract.
On Wednesday, Suzuki was still between the posts for Japan at the Asian Cup. The goalkeeper did not play his best game in the Japanese shirt. Suzuki did not go free in Bahrain’s goal and worked the ball into his own goal. His mistake never jeopardized the Japanese victory, the Samurai Blue eventually won 1-3 after goals from Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda.
Without bad luck, Suzuki will be between the posts again on Saturday afternoon in the quarter-final against Iran. As a result, Jo Coppens will still be in charge in the next two league matches against AA Gent and his former team Cercle Brugge.