Getting to know Marco Bizot
Men
17 July 25
Marco Bizot arrives at Aston Villa on the back of a strong season for his former club Stade Brestois.
The goalkeeper caught the eye domestically and in Europe, helping to earn him a move to the Premier League.
With Bizot signed and sealed, we take a closer look at the career of our new shot-stopper…
European experience
The Dutchman was a key performer for Stade Brestois as they embarked on a maiden European campaign last term.
Thirteen clean sheets in 2023/24 had helped the French side finish fourth in Ligue 1 and qualify for the UEFA Champions League, and he continued to perform against the best teams on the continent.
A pair of clean sheets and four victories helped the club finish 18th in the league phase and qualify for the play-off round, where they were knocked out by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
Bizot has also represented AZ Alkmaar and KRC Genk in Europe, featuring in the Europa League for both clubs.
International teammates
Born in Hoorn, a city in the northwest of the Netherlands, Bizot becomes the latest Dutch player to join Unai Emery’s squad.
He’ll be familiar with Donyell Malen from his international exploits, with the pair forming part of the Netherlands’ squad for UEFA Euro 2020.
Bizot has been called up several times before and after winning his sole cap, which came in a 1-1 friendly draw with a Spain team that counted Pau Torres among their ranks back in 2020.
Premier League dream
Moving to England’s top flight is the realisation of a long-term ambition for the 34-year-old.
While starring for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie back in 2019, he said in an interview: “I hope that’s the next step for me. It would be the best way to make myself better.
“It would be amazing to be part of a team in the Premier League and just to live in England.”
Bizot now has the chance to emulate his idol, Edwin van der Sar, by plying his trade in the Premier League, believing his hard-working mentality will mesh well with the culture in England.
Clean sheet record
Having come through the ranks at Ajax after joining the Dutch giants as a schoolboy, Bizot made the difficult decision to leave, initially on loan to SC Cambuur, in search of first-team football.
A permanent move to Groningen in 2012 and three years in Belgium with KRC Genk followed before he linked up with AZ Alkmaar.
The move provided the perfect platform for Bizot to kick on, and in 2019 he set a new Dutch record of 22 clean sheets in a calendar year.
The stopper also came agonisingly close to a first honour in the 2019/20 season before it was declared void due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with AZ level on points with Ajax at the top of the table after 25 games.
