Best Nigerian Footballers to Have Played in the Premier League

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Nigeria Flag Football Against Floodlit Stadium

Alex Iwobi may have begun his Arsenal journey aged just eight, but he was born in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city. He moved to the UK aged four and was raised here. He presumably considers himself a Londoner and also played for England at U16, U17 and U18 level. However, in 2015 he decided to switch allegiances and represent the nation of his birth.

He referenced his uncle, Jay-Jay Okocha, and another Nigerian star, who also played for Arsenal (like Iwobi himself), Nwankwo Kanu, when explaining his decision at the time, when he was just 18 years old. So, while Iwobi has lived most of his life in England, with a massive 89 caps for Nigeria, he is undoubtedly a “Nigerian footballer”.

And he recently made history by becoming the first such player to reach 300 appearances in the Premier League. Shola Ameobi played 299 PL games, as well as 10 times for the Super Eagles. However, Iwobi, who moved from Arsenal to Everton in 2019, and then to Fulham in 2023, made his 300th top-flight appearance for the Cottagers against Newcastle Unted. In terms of longevity and PL outings alone, Iwobi is clearly out in front in terms of Nigerian players. But what other brilliant footballers from the West African nation have graced the Premier League over the years?

Yakubu

Yakubu was a top-class player and at his very best was almost unplayable. He scored 21 times for his country from 58 caps and 78 times in 222 matches in the Premier League. He also recorded 24 assists across top-flight spells with Portsmouth, Boro, Everton and Blackburn. His final PL season, in 2011/12, yielded 17 goals in 30 games and his pace, power and eye for goal meant chants of “Feed the Yak and he will score” were decidedly true.

Ademola Lookman

This is a list in no particular order, and choosing which of the 64 Nigerians to have played in the PL to include was not easy. We’re sticking with one-time Toffees though for now, as we consider a player who is still active. Lookman was brilliant as a youngster with Charlton and did enough to earn a big-money move to Everton. Capped by England at U19, U20 and U21 level, he decided to play for Nigeria, the land of his parents, when a full, senior England call never came.

He won the 2017 U20 World Cup with England but has now played 32 times for Nigeria, scoring eight times. His club career had a number of false starts but he really began to prove just how good he was after a move to Serie A. He helped Atalanta win the 2023/24 Europa League, was named in the Serie A Team of the Season the following campaign, and has bagged 52 goals in just 123 matches for Atalanta.

John Obi Mikel

The dynamic midfielder is one of the most decorated Nigerians in PL history. Capped 91 times by his country, he won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. However, it was with Chelsea where he won most of his trophies, including two PL crowns, three FA Cups, two League Cups and both the Champions and Europa Leagues.

Jay-Jay Okocha

Iwobi’s uncle cannot match Mikel and others on this list for silverware but in terms of talent, skill and the X-factor, he may well be the best of them all. He was a joy to watch and he lit up the PL with Bolton after a move from PSG. His 14 goals in 73 games for Nigeria and just 18 in 142 for a struggling Wanderers do no justice at all to the excitement and joy he brought.

Nwankwo Kanu

Third on the list of Nigerians with the most PL appearances, with 271, Kanu brought a similar joy and magic as Okocha did. Both were mercurial talents but Kanu won trophies aplenty too, landing silverware with Ajax, Inter Milan and Pompey. However, he spent longest at Arsenal, where he helped the club win two PL titles and two FA Cups. The 6ft 6in striker also played 86 times for his country.

Celestine Babayaro

Babayaro was a brilliant left-back and played almost 200 games for Chelsea, as well as 68 with Newcastle United. He was part of the Nigeria team that won Olympic gold in 1996 and also won trophies with Anderlecht and the Blues.

Jospeh Yobo

Yobo is his country’s third most-capped player and as well as 97 appearances for the Super Eagles (which yielded an impressive seven goals from centre-back), he played 233 times for Everton too (all competitions). He was David Moyes’ first signing for the Toffees and at just £4m he was a great bargain who helped the club to a string of successful seasons in the PL.