Fulham Star and Jay-Jay Okocha’s nephew becomes first Nigerian to reach monumental milestone, capping a decade of durability in England’s top flight.
Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi cemented his legacy in English football on Saturday by becoming the first Nigerian player to reach 300 Premier League appearances.
The 29-year-old marked the milestone by featuring for 90 minutes in a disappointing 2-1 defeat for the Cottagers against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, but the personal achievement highlights his incredible durability and consistency across nearly a decade in the competition.
A Historic Achievement on a Tough Day
Iwobi’s landmark match, which saw him surpass the previous record of 298 appearances held by Nigerian-born Shola Ameobi, came during a difficult afternoon for his club.
A critical error from fellow Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey led to Newcastle’s opener in the 18th minute, with Jacob Murphy capitalising on a lapse in concentration.
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Alex Iwobi.
While Sasa Lukic equalised for Fulham in the second half, a late 90th-minute strike from Bruno Guimaraes sealed the victory for the Magpies, handing Fulham consecutive defeats.
Iwobi, who played an important role in the midfield battle, finished the game with a 74% pass completion rate and was visibly disappointed by the late loss.
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Calvin Bassey’s error cost Fulham || IG
A Career Built on Consistency
Iwobi’s journey to this historic figure began at Arsenal, where he made his Premier League debut in October 2015.
His appearances are distributed across three top-flight clubs: Arsenal, Everton, and now Fulham.
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Alex Iwobi celebrates scoring for Everton against Newcastle United in 2022 (Credit: Imago)
This accomplishment places him in an exclusive group as only the fifth African player to hit the 300-game mark, joining an elite cohort that includes Kolo Touré (353), Mohamed Salah (309), Wilfried Zaha (305), and Jordan Ayew (305).
The milestone is a testament to Iwobi’s work ethic and tactical versatility, having successfully transitioned from an attacking winger at Arsenal to a more central, box-to-box midfielder at Everton and Fulham.
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Alex Iwobi in action for Arsenal in the 2017 Community Shield (Credit: Imago)
This adaptability has ensured his consistent selection under multiple managers in one of the world’s most demanding leagues.
