Alex Iwobi Becomes First Nigerian to Reach 300 Premier League Appearances

Alex Iwobi has etched his name into Premier League history books by becoming the first Nigerian player to make 300 appearances in England’s top flight. The milestone came during Fulham’s 2–1 defeat to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

Despite the result decided by goals from Jacob Murphy and Bruno Guimarães for Newcastle, with Saša Lukić briefly restoring parity for Fulham, Iwobi’s personal achievement shone through as a moment of pride and legacy.

The 29-year-old midfielder reached the landmark exactly a decade after making his Premier League debut for Arsenal against Swansea City on October 31, 2015.

Speaking after the match, Iwobi reflected on the journey that brought him this far:

“It’s an honour to lead among Nigerians, but I’m not done yet,” he told Fulham’s official website, paying tribute to those who paved the way, including his uncle and Nigerian legend, Jay-Jay Okocha.

Iwobi’s 300 top-flight appearances have come across three clubs Arsenal, Everton, and Fulham each marking a unique chapter in his career.

At Arsenal, he broke through from the Hale End academy, making 100 appearances between 2015 and 2019, scoring 11 goals and providing 16 assists. He also lifted the 2017 FA Cup and two Community Shields with the Gunners.

His 2019 move to Everton saw him evolve into a more complete midfielder, featuring 123 times and tallying six goals with 11 assists. Iwobi was one of the Toffees’ standout players in the 2022/23 season, contributing directly to nine goals.

Since joining Fulham in 2023, Iwobi has enjoyed a resurgence, amassing 77 appearances, 15 goals, and 10 assists by the time of his 300th game. His 15 goal involvements in the 2024/25 season mark a career best.

In total, the midfielder has recorded 69 direct goal contributions (32 goals and 37 assists), averaging one every 4.35 games.

Iwobi’s consistency and adaptability have made him one of the most reliable Nigerians to grace the Premier League. In 2024, he also overtook Mikel Obi for the most minutes played by a Nigerian in the competition.

His transformation from a creative winger at Arsenal to a hard-working box-to-box engine at Everton and now a free-roaming No. 10 at Fulham highlights his evolution and tactical intelligence.

With 300 appearances, Iwobi now sits ahead of Shola Ameobi (298), Nwankwo Kanu (273), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (252), and Mikel Obi (249) in the all-time Nigerian appearance chart.

Among African players, he becomes just the fifth to reach 300 Premier League games, joining Kolo Touré (353), Mohamed Salah (310), Wilfried Zaha (305), and Jordan Ayew (305).

Born in Lagos and raised in England, Iwobi chose to represent Nigeria at the international level and has since earned over 70 caps for the Super Eagles, including appearances at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

With a Fulham contract running until 2028, Iwobi remains determined to keep breaking barriers:

“It’s just the beginning. I want to keep the record going and keep making my country proud.”

A decade on from his debut, Alex Iwobi’s 300th Premier League appearance stands as a testament to perseverance, versatility, and the enduring influence of Nigerian talent on the global stage.