Premier League’s Greatest Nigerian Players

The Premier League’s Greatest Nigerian Players

Nigeria has produced a whole host of talented footballers who have left indelible marks on the global stage. At present, the biggest Super Eagle sensation is Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen. The former Lille hitman took Europe by storm when he fired Napoli to Serie A glory back in 2023, netting 26 goals in 32 games in the process. 

Victor Osimhen the Next to Make the Move? 

Since then, however, the 26-year-old has endured somewhat of a fall from grace. He was hoping to secure a move to the Premier League last summer, but ultimately that didn't materialise. Instead, he was exiled to Turkey on a season-long loan, but he still harbours hopes of featuring in the English top flight. 

Arsenal were considered one of the frontrunners to sign the striker, and he would certainly aid their ailing title bid. Online betting sites have lengthened their odds on The Gunners winning the title following an injury to usual starter Gabriel Jesus, and the addition of Osimhen would certainly strengthen their hopes. The latest Premier League odds from a prominent online betting site in Canada now make the North Londoners a distant +425 second favourite, a far cry from preseason, when they were considered the frontrunners. 

Whether Osimhen makes the move to the Emirates or not remains to be seen. If he eventually does, then he will be aiming to live up to the lofty heights set by these Nigerian icons of the Premier League. 

Joseph Yobo

When one thinks of Nigerian football, one might not instantly think of Joseph Yobo. But the central defensive behemoth was crucial to an Everton side at the peak of its powers. The no-nonsense centre-half joined the Toffees in 2002 on an initial loan deal from Marseille, which was later made permanent. 

Over a decade-long spell in England, Yobo became synonymous with consistency and dependability. He racked up over 230 appearances on the blue half of Merseyside, striking up reliable partnerships with the likes of Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka, and David Weir. He helped the club secure UEFA Champions League football in 2005 for the first time, and throughout the last seven years of his spell, Everton finished outside of the top eight just once. 

Yakubu

"Feed the Yak and he will score!" That's what Premier League supporters up and down the country used to sing at maverick striker Yakubu, and boy did he know where the back of the net was. Few strikers in the history of the English top flight combined power, cunning, and predatory instincts quite like the Nigerian striker. 

Whether it was for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, or Blackburn, “The Yak” knew how to find the back of the net. His mantra was simple yet effective — give him the ball in the box, and he would deliver.

Yakubu scored 95 Premier League goals, making him the highest-scoring Nigerian in the league’s history. His debut season with Portsmouth during the 2003/04 campaign was exceptional, as he netted 16 goals and helped the club avoid relegation. He then made the move to Middlesbrough, helping the Teeside outfit reach the 2006 UEFA Cup final against all odds. 

He played alongside the aforementioned Yobo at Everton, but one of his most remarkable feats came in the 2011/12 campaign with Blackburn Rovers. The Lancashire side was ultimately relegated that season, but Yakubu very nearly single-handedly kept them in the division, netting 17 league goals. 

Victor Moses

Winger-turned-fullback Victor Moses has been a player who has been criminally underrated throughout his career. Stints with boyhood club Crystal Palace and Wigan Athletic hardly set the world alight, nor did his loan spell with Liverpool. But luckily, former Juventus boss Antonio Conte knew just how good he was. 

When the Italian manager arrived at Stamford Bridge to take over Chelsea in 2016, he implemented a three-at-the-back formation with a heavy reliance on wing-backs. Moses, whose career had stalled due to loans and limited game time, was thrust into an unfamiliar role on the right flank. Astonishingly, he adapted seamlessly, becoming one of Chelsea’s most important players during their 2016/17 title-winning campaign.

Jay-Jay Okocha

When Bolton Wanderers signed Jay-Jay Okocha in 2002, the Premier League gained a superstar entertainer. Known for his creative genius, dazzling dribbles, and audacious tricks, the Nigerian's flair brought a carnival-like atmosphere to the Reebok Stadium. Indeed, most Trotters supporters couldn't believe their luck that they had attracted such a talent to Lancashire. 

But Okocha was far more than just a showman — his influence on the pitch was immense. He was central to Bolton’s transformation under Sam Allardyce, helping them avoid relegation in 2003, guiding them to the League Cup final in 2004, and indeed steering them into Europe shortly after that. 

His ability to dictate the tempo of games, deliver stunning goals, and excite fans made him a cult hero not just in Bolton, but in the Premier League as a whole. "Jay-Jay — so good they named him twice," as the saying goes, is a fitting tribute to an unforgettable player. 

John Obi Mikel

John Obi Mikel may not have always enjoyed the spotlight, but his value in Chelsea’s midfield during the club's most successful era cannot be overstated. Signed in controversial circumstances by Jose Mourinho in 2006, the midfield dynamo ultimately became a key part of a side that dominated both English and European football.

While initially known for his attacking flair as a youth player, Mikel transitioned into a defensive midfielder at Chelsea. His tactical awareness and calmness under pressure ensured that the likes of Michael Essien and Frank Lampard could shine alongside him. Throughout his 11 years at the Bridge, Mikel made 372 appearances, winning two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, and the Europa League. 

But it was his display in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final that cemented his legacy. Mikel delivered a masterclass for the injury-hit blues against a rampant Bayern Munich side who were playing in their own stadium. His defensive discipline was on full display for the initial 90 minutes and extra time, and it was that which allowed Didier Drogba to become the hero, netting a last-gasp equaliser before scoring the winning penalty in the decisive shootout.