Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has stated that racism has played a key role in him failing to secure a move to another top European club. The 23-year-old Cameroonian insists that "it is not easy for a black goalkeeper to reach the top" because of their skin color.
Onana joined Ajax in 2015 from Barcelona's famed La Masia and has since raised through the ranks with a series of impressive performances. With him manning the post, his side reached the 2017 Europa League Final as well as the semi-finals 2019 Champions League while winning last season's Eredivisie title.
Despite his status as one of the top shot-stoppers in Europe at the moment, the Cameroonian still remains put at Ajax, having previously expressed interest in playing in the Premier League. In an interview with Spanish publication Marca, he revealed that he spoke to a club in 2017 but no headway was made in the talks as he was outrightly told that the fans would not accept him as their keeper.
"It is not easy for a black goalkeeper to reach the top,' he said.
"They decided not to sign me because a black goalkeeper would be difficult for their followers.
"It wasn't because they didn't think I was good enough. I consider it a compliment."
Onana subsequently addressed racism in football in general.
"Racism is there, I have to deal with it in almost every game away from home,' he added.
"But I'm not talking about it, I'm proud to be black. I don't see a difference between black and white... if you do, that's your problem."
