English Premier League
Alex Iwobi: Nigerian midfielder breaks 11-year record in English Premier League

By Wale Mustapha
LONDON — Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has etched his name into English Premier League history, becoming the Nigerian player with the most appearances in the competition’s history.
The Fulham star reached the milestone on Saturday after featuring in his side’s narrow 1–0 defeat to Arsenal at Craven Cottage, marking his 299th Premier League appearance—surpassing the long-standing record of 288 held by former Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi.
Iwobi’s record-breaking moment came fittingly against Arsenal, the club where he made his Premier League debut and rose through the ranks after joining their academy as a teenager.
He went on to make 149 appearances for the Gunners before moving to Everton in 2019, where he featured in 140 games.
Since joining Fulham, Iwobi has made 85 appearances for the West London club, with Saturday’s outing marking a historic personal achievement.
Internationally, the 28-year-old has been a mainstay for the Super Eagles, earning over 70 caps and representing Nigeria at multiple Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Iwobi’s achievement adds to his growing legacy as one of Nigeria’s most successful football exports, following in the footsteps of legends such as Nwankwo Kanu, John Obi Mikel, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, and Ameobi himself.
As he nears the 300-match milestone, Iwobi remains a consistent figure in the Premier League and continues to inspire a new generation of Nigerian footballers dreaming of success on England’s biggest stage.
