PROFILE 4

Hailing from Nkol Ngok in Cameroon, Andre Onana has proven himself in Europe as a talented keeper who isn’t shy to have the ball at his feet. Onana spent his formative years at the Samuel Eto’o Academy before moving to Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth system. Having learned to feel comfortable in possession, and after spending time in Spain on loan, Onana made a permanent move to Eredivisie side Ajax in 2015. He started out in Jong Ajax, the youth system of the Amsterdam club, but just one year after he signed, Andre made his senior debut. On 20 August 2016, aged 20, the Cameroonian started Ajax’s league fixture against Willem II. Onana’s club form also led to him receiving his first call-up to the national team, making his international debut shortly after, on 6 September 2016 against Gabon. In his debut season, Andre helped Ajax to a second-placed finish in the league and the Dutch side reached the final of the Europa League, where they were defeated by Manchester United. Following Erik ten Hag’s first full season in charge at the Amsterdam ArenA, Onana won his first silverware. Ajax won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup double in 2019, with the Cameroonian playing a key role, with 55 appearances and 26 clean sheets. The goalkeeper experienced further success with the Dutch giants, but the Covid pandemic and a lengthy ban impacted the end of Onana’s time at Ajax. He moved to Internazionale in the summer of 2022 and, in what would prove to be his only season at the club, Onana played 41 times and kept 19 clean sheets. In Milan, he won the Coppa Italia and the Supercopa Italiana, and manned the goal during Champions League final that they narrowly lost to Manchester City. On 20 July 2023, his transfer to Manchester United was confirmed, re-connecting him, Ten Hag, Lisandro Martinez and Antony from their time at Ajax together, plus Donny van de Beek too. Onana featured in all but one game during his first campaign in Manchester, and ended it an FA Cup winner, following an excellent performance against Manchester City in the final at Wembley.