Calvin Bassey: Super Eagles star becomes first African to win Fulham’s POTY award

Nigeria international Calvin Bassey has been named Fulham’s Player of the Season for the 2024–25 campaign, becoming the first Nigerian — and the first African — to receive the club's top individual honour, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles defender was a rock at the heart of Marco Silva’s side, playing a crucial role in Fulham’s impressive 11th-place finish in the Premier League.

Now in his second season at Craven Cottage after joining from Ajax in 2023, Bassey established himself as a key figure in Fulham’s back line.

The 25-year-old featured in 35 of the club’s 38 Premier League matches, scoring once and producing a string of consistent performances.

Calvin Bassey: Fulham’s solid wall

Statistically, Bassey was one of the team’s most reliable defenders. He helped Fulham keep five clean sheets, averaged 0.6 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, 4.8 ball recoveries, and 3.2 clearances per game, while making only one error that led to a goal.

A super season for our Super Eagle!

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) June 13, 2025

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He also featured twice in the FA Cup, where Fulham made a strong run to the quarterfinals before being knocked out by eventual winners Crystal Palace. Bassey was instrumental in a dramatic Fifth Round win over Manchester United, where he capped a fine display with a rare but crucial goal.

In winning the award, Bassey edged out a strong shortlist including Raúl Jiménez, Fulham’s top scorer with 12 goals, and fellow Nigeria international Alex Iwobi, who played all 38 league matches and contributed nine goals and six assists across all competitions.

Bassey’s triumph hits a milestone moment, as he becomes the first Nigerian and African footballer to be crowned Fulham’s Player of the Season since the award’s inception.

The inaugural winner was Luís Boa Morte in 2004–05, while names like Brian McBride, Clint Dempsey, Ross McCormack, and Aleksandar Mitrović are among those to have won it multiple times. Antonee Robinson, the United States international, claimed the honour last season.

Bassey and Iwobi are part of a select group of Nigerians who have turned out for the Cottagers over the years, including Ola Aina, Dickson Etuhu, Sone Aluko, and Ademola Lookman.