Official: Italy talent Ahanor joins Atalanta for huge fee

Italy talent Honest Ahanor, 17, has officially joined Atalanta, becoming the third summer signing of La Diva.

Atalanta have confirmed the signing of 17-year-old Italian talent Ahanor from Genoa.

The Nerazzurri have secured the player’s services for a €20m transfer package, the second-highest transfer fee for an Italian U17 player after Pietro Pellegri, who joined Monaco, also from Genoa, in a €20.9m deal in 2018.

Ahanor joins Atalanta – official statement

“Following the arrivals of Kossounou and Kamaldeen Sulemana, Atalanta BC are glad to announce a third permanent transfer in the early stages of the summer transfer window: Honest Ovonranwen Ahanor has joined the Club from Genoa CFC,” Atalanta said in a statement.

“A talented left-footed defender, Honest made headlines last season by becoming the first player born in 2008 to start a Serie A match. Aged just 16 years, 7 months and 5 days, he made his debut on September 28 2024, starting against Juventus and becoming the youngest player to feature in the 2024/25 Serie A campaign.

Ahanor’s career so far

“He went on to collect six top-flight appearances in his first senior campaign, three of them as a starter. His final outing came away to Napoli at the Maradona Stadium, where he played a key role in the build-up that brought about the Rossoblù’s temporary equaliser.

“Born in Aversa on 23 February 2008 to Nigerian parents, Honest joined Genoa’s youth academy at an early age and progressed through every stage of the development pathway all the way to a U18s Scudetto win in the 2023/24 season, when, after stepping up to the Primavera side during the second half of the season despite still being eligible for younger age groups, he played a key role contributing two goals in the playoff first round and providing an assist in the final.

“The Percassi and Pagliuca families, along with the entire Club, extend a warm welcome to Honest and wish him the very best, both on and off the pitch, in his journey in Nerazzurri colours.”