Who has the most Premier League appearances in Nigerian history?

Many Nigerians have worn Premier League colours, with several ranking among those with the most Premier League appearances…

Fulham star Alex Iwobi holds the record for the most Premier League appearances by a Nigerian, with 328 games, 30 more than Shola Ameobi’s long-standing mark of 298, Soccernet.ng reports.

Updated on 26 October 2026 with Iwobi's new total of 328 appearances and the current Nigerian top five.

Iwobi first drew level with Ameobi on 298 in October 2025, when Fulham faced Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in the 2025/26 Premier League season, and passed him later that month.

Despite the Cottagers falling to a 3-1 defeat that night, with Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert inspiring a Bournemouth comeback, it was still a historic night for Iwobi.

A sweeping counter-attack
A first #PL assist for Gannon-Doak
Semenyo's sixth goal of the season

Glorious pic.twitter.com/Wk5ssnCdqy

— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) October 4, 2025

Before Iwobi, there was Ameobi

Iwobi, who began his Premier League journey with Arsenal before moving to Everton and later Fulham, has shown consistency and longevity across his career, which is nothing short of remarkable.

His ability to play in midfield, on the wing, or as a supporting forward has kept him relevant in a league known for its intensity.

Before Iwobi’s rise, there was Ameobi, who held the record for over a decade, having made 298 appearances during his long spell with Newcastle United.

Nigerians With Most Premier League Appearances

Ameobi, who was known for his physical presence and loyalty to the Magpies, stood as the benchmark for Nigerian players in England’s top tier with 298 appearances until Iwobi went past him.

The top five Nigerians by Premier League appearances now read:

1. Alex Iwobi: 328 (Arsenal, Everton, Fulham; still playing)
2. Shola Ameobi: 298 (Newcastle United)
3. Nwankwo Kanu: 273 (Arsenal, West Brom, Portsmouth)
4. Yakubu Aiyegbeni: 252 (Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, Blackburn)
5. John Obi Mikel: 249 (Chelsea)

Behind the top two are other notable Super Eagles legends who left their mark on the Premier League. Nwankwo Kanu had 273 appearances, having played for Arsenal, West Brom, and Portsmouth.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni had 252 appearances playing for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, and Blackburn, followed by John Obi Mikel with 249 appearances playing for Chelsea.

Iwobi is now Nigeria’s outright record-holder in Premier League history, and he is still adding to the total. His 328th appearance came in Fulham’s 1-0 win at Coventry City on 24 October 2026, which took him level with Mohamed Salah as the joint-second most-capped African player in the competition’s history. Only Kolo Touré, with 353, has played more Premier League games among African players.

Soccernet has looked at how close Iwobi is to catching Touré and at what Frank Lampard said about reviving his career at Everton.