•Honest Ahanor
Nigerian-born defender Honest Ahanor has expressed delight after receiving a call-up to the Italy U-21 national team, describing the moment as a proud and unforgettable milestone in his budding football career.
The 18-year-old defender, who features for Atalanta, was born in Aversa to Nigerian parents and has recently committed his international future to Italy after securing citizenship, reports AFP
He is currently part of the Italy U-21 setup as the team continues preparations for upcoming European Championship qualifiers.
A former youth player at Genoa, Ahanor said representing Italy holds special significance for him, noting that it reflects both his development in the country and his emotional connection to it.
“Wearing such an important jersey as Italy’s is indescribable,” he said, adding that representing the nation where he has lived and developed feels deeply personal.
He described the opportunity to join the national setup at any level as a special honour, highlighting the strong camaraderie within the squad and the comfort of linking up again with familiar teammates from his club career.
Looking ahead, Ahanor said his attention is firmly on delivering strong performances for the U-21 side, while remaining open to future opportunities, including a potential senior national team call-up.
