Andre Onana has been starring for Ajax for a number of years now, making the lack of major interest in the player to this point a bit of head-scratcher. Despite a number of his teammates being picked up by big clubs around the continent he has remained in Amsterdam.
Considering the relative lack of top class goalkeepers in the game at the minute, the reluctance to take on a young talented player in the position seems odd. However, Onana believes it is down to the colour of his skin.
The player says big clubs are reluctant to sign black goalkeepers and that it has cost him a move in the past.
Onana told Dutch outlet Het Parool that a major European club were close to signing him after the Europa League final in 2017, but decided against it due to the reaction it could get from their supporters:
It is not easy for a black goalkeeper to reach the top. 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.
Whatever the reasoning behind it, it is true that there are not many black goalkeepers at the biggest European clubs.
Onana says he experiences racism regularly in Dutch football, but would never give racist fans what they want by walking off the pitch:
Racism is there, I have to deal with it in almost every game away from home. But I'm not talking about it. I'm proud to be black.
I don't see a difference between black and white and I make no difference If you do, that's your problem...
No (to walking off the pitch), because that's what they want. And I don't want to give those who shout what they want.
