Nigeria Sports Celebrating passion, talent and excellence

Football · Premier League tracker 2026-27

Nigerian Players in the Premier League 2026-27

Every Premier League player born in Nigeria or raised by Nigerian parents, with their clubs, their roots and a weekly results tracker through the 2026-27 season.

  • 26players tracked
  • 9Super Eagles or call-ups
  • 5born in Nigeria
  • 12025-26 champion club
Bukayo Saka, of Nigerian parents, playing for England
Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

International break · checked 30 September 2026

This week: our Premier League Nigerians on international duty

There was no Premier League football on 26 to 28 September: the league stopped after Matchweek 5 for the international break (21 September to 6 October). Here is how our Premier League players did for their countries, and the last club round.

Premier League Nigerians, week of 21 to 29 September 2026
DateMatchNigerian players
25 SepNigeria 2-1 Madagascar (AFCON 2027 qualifier, Uyo)Alex Iwobi (Fulham) set up George Ilenikhena’s equaliser and was man of the match; Calvin Bassey (Fulham) and Semi Ajayi (Hull) played
26 SepEngland 2-3 Spain (Nations League, Wembley)Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) started
29 SepGuinea-Bissau 3-0 Nigeria (AFCON 2027 qualifier, Bissau)Ajayi, Bassey, Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi (both Coventry) started; Eric Chelle’s first defeat
29 SepCzechia 0-2 England (Nations League)Saka started; Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool) in the squad
18-20 SepMatchweek 5: Nottingham Forest 0-1 CoventryAwoniyi and Onyeka’s Coventry won their first Premier League game in more than 25 years
18-20 SepMatchweek 5: Brighton 3-0 Arsenal; Brentford 3-0 Chelsea; Fulham 1-1 Man United; Newcastle 2-1 HullBad day for Saka, Eze and Madueke; good day for Michael Kayode’s Brentford

Next update: after Matchweek 6 (10 to 12 October 2026), including Arsenal v Leeds (Saka, Eze and Madueke v Okafor and Nmecha) and Liverpool v Man City. Big performances also appear in our African Sports News.

Checked 30 September 2026

Super Eagles in the Premier League

Players who have played for, or been called up by, Nigeria. Figures are Premier League games unless stated.

  1. 1Alex Iwobi
    Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Alex Iwobi

    Fulham · Midfielder

    Born 3 May 1996, Lagos · Nigeria, 100 caps

    Nigerian roots: born in Lagos; nephew of Jay-Jay Okocha.

    • 100Nigeria caps
    • 29PL games 25-26
    • 4PL goals 25-26

    2025-26 Premier League

    Won his 100th cap against Portugal in June 2026 and was man of the match against Madagascar in September.

  2. 2Calvin Bassey
    Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Calvin Bassey

    Fulham · Defender

    Born 31 Dec 1999, Aosta, Italy · Nigeria, 46 caps

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian parents; raised in Newham, London.

    • 46Nigeria caps
    • 30PL games 25-26
    • 5PL games 26-27

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Played in the 2022 Europa League final with Rangers; a Super Eagles regular under Chelle.

  3. 3Ola Aina
    Photo: Chelsea FC, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Ola Aina

    Nottingham Forest · Full-back

    Born 8 Oct 1996, Southwark, London · Nigeria, 48 caps

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian parents; switched from England youth teams in 2017.

    • 48Nigeria caps
    • 18PL games 25-26
    • 2PL games 26-27

    Checked 30 September 2026

    In the Team of the Tournament at AFCON 2023.

  4. 4Taiwo Awoniyi
    Photo: V4nco, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Taiwo Awoniyi

    Coventry City · Striker

    Born 12 Aug 1997, Ilorin, Kwara State · Nigeria

    Nigerian roots: born in Ilorin; Yoruba.

    • 4PL games 26-27
    • 1PL goal 26-27
    • 4PL goals 25-26

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Joined promoted Coventry from Forest in August 2026 and helped them beat his old club 1-0.

  5. 5Frank Onyeka
    Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Frank Onyeka

    Coventry City · Midfielder

    Born 1 Jan 1998, Benin City, Edo State · Nigeria, 45 caps

    Nigerian roots: born in Benin City.

    • 45Nigeria caps
    • 3PL games 26-27

    Checked 30 September 2026

    “Frank the Tank” worked roofing jobs before joining Ebedei at 15.

  6. 6
    Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos

    Semi Ajayi

    Hull City · Centre-back

    Born 9 Nov 1993, Crayford, England · Nigeria, 58 caps

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian parents.

    • 58Nigeria caps
    • 1PL goal 26-27

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Scored Hull’s first goal back in the Premier League, in a 2-0 win over Manchester United on 22 August 2026.

  7. 7Femi Azeez
    Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Femi Azeez

    Brighton · Winger

    Born 5 Jun 2001, London · Nigeria, 2 caps

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian father, Spanish mother.

    • 2Nigeria caps
    • 2Nigeria goals
    • 11Goals 25-26 (Millwall)

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Joined Brighton from Millwall for about £15m on 1 September 2026; currently injured.

  8. 8
    Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos

    Benjamin Fredrick

    Brentford · Defender

    Born 28 May 2005, Kaduna · Nigeria, 6 caps

    Nigerian roots: born in Kaduna; came through Moses Simon’s academy.

    • 6Nigeria caps
    • 20Age

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Promoted to Brentford’s first team in July 2026 after a loan in Belgium.

  9. 9
    Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos

    Zadok Yohanna

    Brighton · Winger

    Born 29 Jun 2007, Bauchi State · Nigeria call-up May 2026

    Nigerian roots: born in Bauchi State.

    • 19Age
    • €28mSwedish record fee

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Brighton bought him from AIK for a Swedish transfer record.

Nigerian roots, other flags

Nigerian-heritage stars in the Premier League

Born abroad to Nigerian parents, these players represent England and other countries. Some are still eligible for Nigeria.

  1. 10Bukayo Saka
    Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Bukayo Saka

    Arsenal · Winger

    Born 5 Sep 2001, Ealing, London · England, 57 caps

    Nigerian roots: Yoruba parents, Yomi and Adenike.

    • 5PL games 26-27
    • 3PL goals 26-27
    • 57England caps

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Premier League champion with Arsenal in 2025-26, the club’s first title in 22 years.

  2. 11Eberechi Eze
    Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Eberechi Eze

    Arsenal · Attacking midfielder

    Born 29 Jun 1998, Greenwich, London · England, 19 caps

    Nigerian roots: Igbo parents.

    • 32PL games 25-26
    • 7PL goals 25-26
    • 19England caps

    2025-26 Premier League

    Scored a hat-trick in the north London derby in November 2025.

  3. 12Noni Madueke
    Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Noni Madueke

    Arsenal · Winger

    Born 10 Mar 2002, Barnet, London · England, 16 caps

    Nigerian roots: Igbo descent.

    • 26PL games 25-26
    • 3PL goals 25-26
    • 16England caps

    2025-26 Premier League

    Won the title in his first Arsenal season after a £48.5m move from Chelsea.

  4. 13Noah Okafor
    Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Noah Okafor

    Leeds United · Forward

    Born 24 May 2000, Binningen, Switzerland · Switzerland, 26 caps

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian father, Swiss mother.

    • 4PL games 26-27
    • 1PL goal 26-27
    • 8PL goals 25-26

    Checked 30 September 2026

    His two goals at Old Trafford in April 2026 gave Leeds their first league win there since 1981.

  5. 14Rio Ngumoha
    Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Rio Ngumoha

    Liverpool · Winger

    Born 29 Aug 2008, London · England

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian and Guadeloupean descent.

    • 18Age
    • 3PL games 26-27
    • 2PL goals 25-26

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Liverpool’s youngest ever scorer; in England’s senior squad at 18.

  6. 15William Osula
    Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    William Osula

    Newcastle · Striker

    Born 4 Aug 2003, Aarhus, Denmark · Denmark

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian father, Kingsley.

    • 24PL games 25-26
    • 7PL goals 25-26

    2025-26 Premier League

    Won Goal of the Month for a 90th-minute winner against Manchester United.

  7. 16Michael Kayode
    Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Michael Kayode

    Brentford · Right-back

    Born 10 Jul 2004, Borgomanero, Italy · Italy

    Nigerian roots: Yoruba parents.

    • 5PL games 26-27
    • 1PL goal 26-27
    • 37PL games 25-26

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Famous for his long throws; first senior Italy call-up in September 2026.

  8. 17Lukas Nmecha
    Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lukas Nmecha

    Leeds United · Striker

    Born 14 Dec 1998, Hamburg · Germany, 7 caps

    Nigerian roots: Igbo Nigerian father; brother of Felix Nmecha.

    • 31PL games 25-26
    • 6PL goals 25-26

    2025-26 Premier League

    Scored a 91st-minute winner against Fulham in January 2026.

  9. 18Tammy Abraham
    Photo: Werner100359, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Tammy Abraham

    Aston Villa · Striker

    Born 2 Oct 1997, Camberwell, London · England, 11 caps

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian parents.

    • 3PL games 26-27
    • 11England caps

    Checked 30 September 2026

    One of only two players to win all three UEFA club competitions.

  10. 19Tosin Adarabioyo
    Photo: The White House, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Tosin Adarabioyo

    Tottenham · Centre-back

    Born 24 Sep 1997, London · eligible for Nigeria

    Nigerian roots: Yoruba parents.

    • 16PL games 25-26

    2025-26 with Chelsea

    Joined Tottenham from Chelsea on deadline day, September 2026.

  11. 20
    Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos

    Destiny Udogie

    Tottenham · Left-back

    Born 28 Nov 2002, Verona, Italy · Italy, 12 caps

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian parents.

    • 20PL games 25-26
    • 12Italy caps

    2025-26 Premier League

    Nominated for Premier League Young Player of the Season in 2024.

  12. 21Promise David
    Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Promise David

    Brighton (loan) · Striker

    Born 3 Jul 2001, Brampton, Canada · Canada, 14 caps

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian parents.

    • 14Canada caps
    • 9Goals 25-26 (Union SG)

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Set up Canada’s first ever World Cup point in June 2026.

  13. 22Chuba Akpom
    Photo: Kieran Clarke, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Chuba Akpom

    Ipswich Town · Forward

    Born 9 Oct 1995, Newham, London · eligible for Nigeria

    Nigerian roots: Igbo parents.

    • 2PL games 26-27
    • 1PL goal 26-27

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Championship Golden Boot winner with Middlesbrough in 2022-23.

  14. 23
    Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos

    Tim Iroegbunam

    Hull City · Midfielder

    Born 30 Jun 2003, Birmingham · England youth

    Nigerian roots: Igbo descent.

    • 29PL games 25-26

    2025-26 with Everton

    Both his parents are deaf; he signs fluently. Joined Hull on 1 September 2026.

  15. 24Tyrique George
    Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Tyrique George

    Everton · Winger

    Born 4 Feb 2006, London · England U-21

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian father, Ghanaian mother.

    • 2PL games 26-27

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Won the 2025 Conference League with Chelsea.

  16. 25
    Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos

    Emmanuel Emegha

    Chelsea · Striker

    Born 3 Feb 2003, The Hague · Netherlands, 2 caps

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian mother.

    • 0PL games 26-27

    Checked 30 September 2026

    Joined from Strasbourg; out with a hamstring injury until about 10 October.

  17. 26
    Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos

    Honest Ahanor

    Crystal Palace (loan) · Defender

    Born 23 Feb 2008, Aversa, Italy · Italy, 2 caps

    Nigerian roots: Nigerian parents.

    • 18Age
    • 2Italy caps

    Checked 30 September 2026

    On loan from Atalanta; Chelsea have agreed to sign him in 2027.

On loan or just left

  • Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal) is on loan at Borussia Dortmund; Chido Obi (Manchester United) at Willem II; Tolu Arokodare (Wolves) at Ajax.
  • Samuel Chukwueze is back at AC Milan after his Fulham loan; Christantus Uche returned to Getafe.
  • Chiedozie Ogbene, born in Lagos and an Ireland international, is on loan at Lincoln from Ipswich.

Quick answers

Nigerians in the Premier League: facts and figures

How many Nigerian players are in the Premier League in 2026-27?

SitesNG tracks 26 players on 2026-27 Premier League first-team squads who were born in Nigeria or have Nigerian parents: 9 Super Eagles or Nigeria call-ups and 17 Nigerian-heritage players who play for England, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Canada or the Netherlands.

Which Super Eagles play in the Premier League?

Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka (Coventry), Semi Ajayi (Hull), Femi Azeez (Brighton) and Benjamin Fredrick (Brentford), with Brighton’s Zadok Yohanna also called up.

Is Bukayo Saka Nigerian?

Bukayo Saka was born in London to Nigerian Yoruba parents and plays for England. He won the Premier League with Arsenal in 2025-26.

Which Premier League players were born in Nigeria?

Alex Iwobi (Lagos), Taiwo Awoniyi (Ilorin), Frank Onyeka (Benin City), Benjamin Fredrick (Kaduna) and Zadok Yohanna (Bauchi State).

Who is the most capped Nigerian in the Premier League?

Alex Iwobi, who won his 100th Nigeria cap in June 2026.

When does the Premier League resume?

After the international break, Matchweek 6 is played on 10 to 12 October 2026. SitesNG updates this page every week.