Atalanta have officially presented 17-year-old Italian-born Nigerian defender, Honest Ahanor, following his recent arrival from Genoa.
The youngster, who completed a permanent move to the Bergamo-based club on July 4, 2025, was unveiled on Wednesday at the Centro Bortolotti press conference room.
“Taking place at the Centro Bortolotti’s press conference room is the official presentation of Honest Ahanor,” the club confirmed in a statement.
“The 2008-born defender who signed on a permanent deal from Genoa, saw CEO Luca Percassi do the host’s honour and officially welcome Honest in black-and-blue.”
Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi expressed his excitement during the unveiling, highlighting the club’s long-standing interest in Ahanor.
“We are proud to present Honest. We’ve been following him closely for a long time, having crossed paths with him on several occasions at the youth level.
“He’s always stood out for his great qualities on the pitch, and upon knowing him, he’s pleasantly surprised us with a maturity off the pitch that goes well beyond his years.”
Ahanor, in his remarks, said he was thrilled to be joining a club with such a strong reputation for developing young talent.
“I’m delighted to have joined a prestigious Club such as Atalanta,” he said.
“Repaying the trust shown in me by the Percassi family, Sporting Director Tony D’Amico, and Coach Jurić, who all believed in bringing me to Bergamo, gives me even more motivation. It was flattering to know that many top clubs were interested, but I had no hesitation in choosing Atalanta.”
Background and Career
Born in Aversa, Italy, to Nigerian parents, Ahanor is eligible to play internationally for Nigeria.
His football journey began in the youth ranks of Genoa, where he featured prominently for the under-15, under-16, and under-17 teams during the 2023/24 season.
He had a stint in senior football with Serie D side Albisola and was included in the squad for the first time on August 9, 2024, in a narrow 1–0 win over Latte Dolce.
A highlight of his early career came on May 11, 2025, when he opened the scoring in a 2–2 draw against Napoli.
Playing Profile
Ahanor is primarily a left-back and is naturally left-footed. However, his tactical flexibility allows him to perform in multiple roles, including center-back, central midfield, and on the wing.
He is admired for his speed, physicality, and adaptability, traits that mark him as one to watch in the coming years.