Alphonse Areola is enjoying the "exceptional" feeling of regularly playing in goal for hometown club Paris Saint-Germain, after moving ahead of Kevin Trapp and Salvatore Sirigu in the pecking order since Unai Emery's arrival.
Areola, 23, one of the French champions' prized youth academy graduates, has usurped Trapp, who is already said to be considering an exit, while Sirigu is struggling to impress in Spain with Sevilla.
Areola told PSG TV of his pride at fulfilling his childhood dream of playing for Les Parisiens at Parc des Princes, while also reflecting on his "emotional" home debut back in May of 2013 and the "incredible" title celebrations that followed.
"Now, finding myself on the pitch, it is exceptional," Areola said. "There is no other way to describe it. This is my stadium. I was born here, in Paris, it is just fantastic.
"When I was younger, I used to come here to watch Paris play. My first game at Parc des Princes was PSG-Rennes [Oct. 28 2006] and Amara Diane scored in the final few minutes. I was 12 years old and it remains one of my best memories as a fan."
�� VIDEO: @AreolaOfficiel explains what it means to him to play for PSG at the Parc des Princes https://t.co/d8H728MEdj pic.twitter.com/ZWNUOOJogQ
- PSG English (@PSG_English) October 25, 2016
PSG are currently working on the reintegration of their formerly estranged ultras to improve the match day atmosphere inside Parc des Princes and Areola acknowledged the "passion" provided by the fans and the "importance" of the social mixing that happens in the stands.
"You can feel the passion of a whole city ready to cheer on its team and it is always great to look at the stands from down here on the pitch," Areola said. "The fans in this stadium are always right behind the team, in the good and the tough times.
"All walks of life come together in the stands and that is important. It is up to us to work hard to ensure these fans go home happy."
Areola's emergence has led to Trapp reportedly considering his options after losing his place. Le Parisien reports the former Eintracht Frankfurt shot stopper is wanted by Wolfsburg and RB Leipzig this winter but that PSG are not keen on letting him go midseason.
The same publication also offered an update on Sirigu's situation on loan at Sevilla, and how despite being unable to dislodge Sergio Rico from the starting role, a winter return to PSG is highly unlikely.