First Interview: Ahanor sets out target for Palace
Honest Ahanor is targeting more continental glory for Crystal Palace this season, in his first interview after joining on loan from Atalanta.
Speaking to Palace TV, the talented 18-year-old defender believes the Eagles can build upon their recent successes in the FA Cup and UEFA Conference League with Europa League glory this season – and wants to play a key part in helping them do so.
Ahanor said upon signing: “I'm really excited to be here. The Premier League is one of the most important leagues in the world.
“To be at one of the best clubs for young players in this league is something which makes me grateful and happy.
“To come here on loan, and try to be the best player I can in this league, is something which makes me grateful.
“I think that for the team, the important thing is to be top – to do our best. Last year, Crystal Palace won the Conference League. This year, we're going to play in the Europa League.
"We're going to try to get to the final and try, maybe, to win the cup – why not?!”
I hope that we can... do a lot of things together
—Honest Ahanor
Ahanor has some impressive credentials to his name despite his tender years, having spent much of his career thus far playing up the age groups – culminating in him playing 35 times for Atalanta last season, including nine times in the UEFA Champions League.
The teenager said of his own game: “I think that from a young age, I'm very calm. I'm very hungry about football. I like to play. I like to let all the people feel my passion.
“I hope to play in the next few weeks at the stadium, to feel the passion of the fans and to be with them.
“I think that for all players, the passion of the fans is really important. To feel the club, to feel the shirt, to feel all the city… it's something that can improve you, improve the team to keep working, to try to improve.
“I hope soon to play in the stadium, to feel the passion of the fans. I hope that we can be a family and try to do a lot of things together.”
You can watch Ahanor’s first full Palace TV interview above!