'Born to Nigerian parents' – Atalanta confirm brand new signing is eligible for Super Eagles

Through a statement on the official website, 2024 Europa League winners Atalanta have announced the signing of left-footed player Honest Ovonranwen Ahanor from Serie A rivals Genoa.

Ahanor becomes Atalanta's third signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrivals of Odilon Kossounou from Bayer Leverkusen and Kamaldeen Sulemana from Southampton. 

Last season, Ahanor made history by becoming the first player born in 2008 to appear in the Italian Serie A.

The promising defender made his full Serie A debut for Genoa against Juventus on September 28, aged just 16 years and 218 days.

He made a total of six appearances in the top-flight last term, half of which were as a starter, and registered his first goal involvement in the division as Genoa forced Napoli to a 2-2 draw at the Diego Maradona Stadium in May.

Atalanta have confirmed that Ahanor is eligible to play for the Super Eagles through his Nigerian parents,

The Nerazzurri wrote: "Born on February 23, 2008 in Aversa to Nigerian parents, Honest joined Genoa's youth sector when he was still a child."

Ahanor is yet to represent Italy at any youth level, meaning he is eligible to play for the Super Eagles without requiring a formal switch of international allegiance.

The 17-year-old is also eligible to represent Nigeria at youth level, including the Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles and Olympic team.

Ahanor joins up with Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman at Atalanta, though the forward has been linked with a potential move away from the club before the end of the summer transfer window.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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