Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor has been given the all clear to play for the senior national team of Italy after turning 18 year old on the 23rd of February, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Born to parents of Nigerian descent in Italy, Ahanor who is seen as the brightest young defender in the Italian top division before turning 18 has not played for Italy at any level due to immigration laws , which means he can get an Italian passport until he turns 18.
He was registered as a Nigerian, but after turning 18 he is now expected to be given an Italian passport, and also switch his registration details from Nigeria to Italy.
It also means he is now eligible to play for Italy at senior level, with head coach Gennaro Gattuso revealing last year that his lack of passport was largely why he was omitted from the sqaud. That is no longer the case.
Nigeria through head coach Eric Chelle tried to get in touch with the defender last year, but all his attempts proved abortive as he is focused on living his dream of playing for the senior national team of Italy.
This season he has played in 16 league games and six UEFA Champions League games for the team he joined in the summer from Genoa.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
