Who is Honest Ahanor? The youngest Nigerian player to feature in Europe's top 5 leagues this season

Genoa defender Honest Ahanor is the youngest Nigerian footballer to make an appearance in the top five European leagues so far this season, comprising the Premier League, La Liga, German Bundeslga, Serie A and French Ligue 1.

Aged 16 years and 218 days, he made his full Serie A debut against Juventus on September 28, playing for 69 minutes in a 3-0 loss at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Born on February 23, 2008, in Aversa, Campania, to Nigerian parents, Ahanor has been included in all the matchday squads announced by manager Alberto Gilardino so far this season, nine in total, but was given minutes just once.

Honest Ahanor has been on the books of Genoa for more than a decade, having joined them at the age of five, and has been promoted to the first team following his excellent performances for the youth teams.

Last season, he was one of the standout performers as Genoa won the U18 Scudetto, scoring a brace against Lazio and provided an assist in the final versus Roma.

Last month, the promising teenager signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Rossoblù until the end of the 2026-2027 season.

Ahanor offers versatility as he is able to play as both a wing-back and center back.

If he continues with his progress, a call-up to either the Italian or Nigerian youth teams is a possibility in the near future.

Ahanor is the second youngest player to feature in Europe's top five leagues in 2024-2025, behind Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, who made his professional debut against Le Havre AC on the opening day of the season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: genoacfc.it

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