When will Alex Iwobi break Nigeria’s Premier League appearance record?

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As the Premier League season rumbles on, Nigeria international Alex Iwobi stands on the cusp of history. 

The Fulham man, who finished second in the vote for the club’s Player of the Season in 2024/25, has not only been a quality servant for the club, but has been a mainstay in Premier League football since making his debut in 2015. After breaking through at Arsenal, he went on to represent Everton, before returning to London with the Cottagers. 

Over the course of that decade, Iwobi has amassed 298 appearances in the English top flight, an impressive enough tally to put him in joint-first place for Nigerians in the Premier League. For context, that is comfortably more than the likes of Kanu and John Mikel Obi, both of whom enjoyed long, acclaimed careers. 

Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey feature as Fulham crash to Everton
Photo by IMAGO

How soon can Alex Iwobi eclipse Shola Ameobi’s Premier League mark?

The record was previously held solo by Shola Ameobi, who was a Newcastle icon in the 2000s. The striker made 298 appearances in the Premier League, the same as Iwobi has now racked up. 

shola ameobi

The 29-year-old, barring a serious injury, will eclipse the record in the coming weeks. A look at Fulham’s match schedule for the season can actually pinpoint exactly when Iwobi will surpass Ameobi’s mark.

In a coincidence of cosmic proportions, provided he is not injured, Iwobi will reach 299 appearances, thereby owning the record outright, against boyhood club Arsenal, who visit Craven Cottage on October 18.

A trip to St James’ Park to face Ameobi’s club Newcastle would then take him to 300, a landmark number.

<!-- Author Start -->Solace Chukwu<!-- Author End -->

Solace Chukwu

Editor Site Coordinator

Solace Chukwu is one of Africa's foremost football columnists, with over a decade of experience working with various media outlets including Goal, Guardian UK, Pulse Sports and NewFrame News. While football is his first love, he also follows and comments on boxing and tennis.