STVV goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has confirmed that he rejected the chance to join Manchester United this summer, preferring to move to Belgium.
The goalkeeper has been speaking to Japanese Soccer Digest Web, relayed by Voetbal Belgie, regarding his move from Red Urawa Diamonds to STVV this summer.
The 21-year-old made the move to the Belgian club on loan at the beginning of August, signing until the end of the season in a deal that includes an option to buy.
He will be hoping to establish himself in Europe with STVV, after starting his career with Urawa Reds and working his way up their various ranks to the first team in 2019.
They were in search of goalkeepers themselves after David de Gea’s departure, eventually paying big to sign Andre Onana from Inter Milan and then bringing in Altay Bayindir as his deputy.
The latter seemingly arrived after they were rejected by Suzuki, with several reports making it clear he had given Manchester United his refusal and instead elected to go to Belgium.
He’s now revealed all on the matter and confirmed that was the case while insisting that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t like a move to England someday.
“My dream is to play in the English Premier League,” he said.
“It is true that I have received an offer from Manchester United, but United have acquired Onana this season, so I want to play at a level where I can play.
“Even if I can’t go there now, I definitely want to go there in a few years. To make progress step by step, I decided to move to Belgium.”
