Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has etched his name into Premier League history after becoming only the fifth player in the competition’s history to make at least 100 appearances for three different clubs.
The Nigerian midfielder reached the remarkable milestone on Saturday when he started Fulham’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage, despite the hosts eventually suffering a frustrating 3-2 defeat.
Iwobi had already crossed the 100-game mark with Arsenal, where he made exactly 100 Premier League appearances, before adding another 123 league appearances during his time with Everton. His latest appearance for Fulham therefore took his Premier League career tally to 322 matches.
The achievement puts the 30-year-old in an exclusive club alongside Premier League legends Gareth Barry, James Milner, Gary Speed and Rory Delap, who have also represented three different clubs at least 100 times in the competition.
What makes Iwobi’s achievement even more significant is its place in African football history. He has become the first African player to reach the 100-appearance mark for three separate Premier League clubs, adding another major milestone to a career that has already taken him through some of England’s biggest football stages.
Iwobi’s Premier League journey began at Arsenal after rising through the club’s academy. He made his senior breakthrough during the 2015/16 campaign and quickly became a regular part of Arsène Wenger’s squad.
During his time with the Gunners, Iwobi developed from an exciting academy prospect into an established first-team player. He eventually left Arsenal with 100 Premier League appearances, 11 goals and 17 assists, while also collecting an FA Cup winner’s medal.
His next challenge came at Everton after completing a move to the Merseyside club in 2019. Although his role changed several times, Iwobi demonstrated his versatility by operating as a winger, wing-back and central midfielder.
One of his strongest campaigns at Everton came in the 2022/23 season, when he started all 38 of the club’s Premier League matches as the Toffees successfully battled against relegation.
After making 123 league appearances for Everton, Iwobi moved to Fulham in 2023, where he reunited with manager Marco Silva and gradually established himself as an important figure in the midfield.
His time at Fulham has arguably brought another level of consistency to his game. Last season, the Nigeria international enjoyed his most productive campaign for a club, scoring more than 18 goals across all competitions according to the latest reports.
However, Iwobi’s historic moment was overshadowed by another disappointing afternoon for Fulham.
The Cottagers twice took the lead against Crystal Palace but were unable to hold on. Joshua King opened the scoring in the 11th minute before Tyrick Mitchell brought Palace level in the first half.
César Palacios restored Fulham’s advantage shortly before half-time, only for Mitchell to strike again after the break and make it 2-2.
With the game heading towards a draw, Ben Chilwell completed Palace’s comeback in the 77th minute, giving the visitors a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The defeat made it three consecutive Premier League losses for new Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa, leaving the London club still searching for their first league points of the campaign. Fulham have conceded seven goals in their opening three league matches, despite showing plenty of attacking intent.
For Iwobi, though, the result could not erase the significance of his personal achievement.
From Arsenal’s academy to Everton’s relegation battles and now Fulham, the Nigerian has built a Premier League career based on longevity, adaptability and consistency.
At 30, Iwobi has already joined a list containing some of the competition’s most enduring figures. And with plenty of football still ahead of him, the Nigerian midfielder could yet push his numbers far beyond the remarkable 322 Premier League appearances he has accumulated so far.
