Manchester United announced the signing of goalkeeper Andre Onana earlier this week, with the Cameroonian replacing David de Gea as our no.1 goalkeeper.
In an interview with the club’s official site, Onana talked about what an honour it was for him to be a United player.
I’m very excited. For me, it’s a big honour. It’s a big privilege to be part of this big club, part of this family. For me, it’s great. I know a lot [about United]. Of course, Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I have some friends who were playing here. I also had the opportunity to work with Edwin van der Sar when I was playing for Ajax back in the day, so I know quite a lot about this big club.
Onana talked about his family’s reaction from making the move from Inter Milan to United.
They are very proud. They are very proud of me and everything, for me and my country. For me, it’s something big, it’s big news. I have all the support from my brothers from Cameroon. I’m very happy and all of them they are proud of me. Coming from my country, it is great to have someone who is playing for Manchester United, because it’s a top club, it’s a huge club. It’s amazing for us.
Onana talked about how big United are in Cameroon, and the wider continent, with him not being able to put in to words how happy people have been for him.
You cannot understand, even if I explain. Cameroon is divided in two [countries to support], the English and the French, and all the English are fans of Man U, so you can imagine that this is something amazing for all of us. They are very happy and they are proud. It’s the whole continent. I have friends everywhere in Africa and their reaction is amazing. It’s amazing. But now it’s time to work and win trophies.
Onana spent his youth career in Spain, then moved to Holland, then more recently Italy, but can’t wait to get stuck in to playing in England.
This is the biggest league in the world, it’s the best competition to play. For me, it’s a huge challenge but I’m happy to be here and hope to be capable to respond.
I spoke with a lot of players who have advised me how difficult it is to play here, also how nice it is to be here because the Premier League is something special. They have given me some advice, I just need to put it in to practice.
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