Alex Iwobi achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Nigerian to reach 300 Premier League appearances during Fulham’s defeat to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
Despite the loss—courtesy of goals from Jacob Murphy and a late Bruno Guimarães winner for Newcastle United, with Saša Lukić scoring Fulham’s equalizer—Iwobi’s accomplishment stood out as a beacon of personal triumph.
The 29-year-old marked the occasion a decade after making his Premier League debut for Arsenal against Swansea City on October 31, 2015.
Reflecting on the milestone, Iwobi expressed pride in surpassing the record previously held by Shola Ameobi, while paying homage to Nigerian legends such as his uncle, Jay-Jay Okocha.
“It’s an honour to lead among Nigerians, but I’m not done yet,” he told Fulham’s official website, signaling his intent to further cement his legacy in England’s top flight.
Iwobi’s 300 appearances span three clubs—two from London and one from Merseyside.
His journey began at Arsenal, where he emerged from the Hale End academy to make 100 appearances between 2015 and 2019, scoring 11 goals and providing 16 assists while winning the 2017 FA Cup and two FA Community Shields.
A move to Everton in 2019 saw him feature in 123 matches, adapting to a deeper midfield role and contributing six goals and 11 assists, including a standout 2022/23 season with nine-goal involvements.
Since joining Fulham in 2023, Iwobi has thrived, amassing 77 appearances, 15 goals, and 10 assists by his 300th game, with a career-best 15 goal involvements in the 2024/25 season.
His 69 direct goal contributions (32 goals and 37 assists) across 300 matches reflect a consistent impact.
The midfielder averages a goal or assist every 4.35 games—a notable feat for a midfielder often tasked with both creative and defensive duties.
Statistically, Iwobi’s influence extends beyond goals
In April 2024, he surpassed Mikel Obi to claim the record for the most Premier League minutes played by a Nigerian.
His versatility—evolving from a flair-driven winger at Arsenal to a box-to-box midfielder at Everton and now a free-roaming No. 10 at Fulham—has been key to his longevity.
Iwobi’s achievement elevates him in a storied lineage of Nigerian Premier League stars.
With 300 appearances, he surpasses Shola Ameobi (298), Nwankwo Kanu (273), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (252), and Mikel (249).
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Born in Lagos in 1996 and raised in England, Iwobi chose to represent Nigeria over England, earning more than 70 caps for the Super Eagles, including appearances at the 2018 World Cup.
Among African players, Iwobi joins an elite group as the fifth to reach 300 Premier League appearances—following Ivory Coast’s Kolo Touré (353), Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (310), and Ivory Coast’s Wilfried Zaha and Ghana’s Jordan Ayew (both 305).
With a contract running until 2028 and a hunger to “keep the record going,” the midfielder’s 300th appearance stands not as an endpoint but as a springboard for further contributions to both club and continent.
