22 Facts About Alex Iwobi

Alexander Chuka Iwobi is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Fulham and the Nigeria national team.

In 2019, Alex Iwobi transferred to Everton, and in 2023 he joined Fulham.

Alex Iwobi made his senior international debut for Nigeria in October 2015, and was part of their squads at the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019,2021 and 2023, finishing third at the 2019 tournament, and runner-up at the 2023 tournament.

Alex Iwobi was born in Lagos before moving to England at the age of four, following a brief stay in Turkey, and grew up in Newham, London.

Alex Iwobi joined Arsenal while still at primary school, in 2004, and was nearly released by the club at the age of 14 and again at the age of 16.

Alex Iwobi was first involved in a first-team match as an unused substitute in a League Cup match against West Bromwich Albion on 25 September 2013.

Alex Iwobi signed a long-term contract with Arsenal in October 2015.

Alex Iwobi achieved further success with Arsenal in the 2017 Community Shield, in which Arsenal beat Chelsea on penalties.

In May 2018, after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger announced he would be leaving the club, Alex Iwobi described him as an "inspiration" and stated it was sad but exciting.

In January 2019, Alex Iwobi was the subject of alleged racism from Indian actress Esha Gupta, an Arsenal ambassador.

On 8 August 2019, Alex Iwobi signed a five-year contract with Everton.

Alex Iwobi signed for Fulham on 2 September 2023 for an undisclosed fee.

On 6 April 2024, in a game against Newcastle United, Alex Iwobi became the Nigerian footballer with most minutes played in the history of the Premier League, surpassing the previous record held by Mikel John Obi.

Eligible to represent England or his birth country Nigeria, Alex Iwobi started as a youth international for England, with whom he won the 2011 Victory Shield.

Alex Iwobi earned 11 caps for England at underage level, but went on to declare for Nigeria in 2015.

Alex Iwobi was selected by Nigeria for their 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Alex Iwobi was not a part of the 18-man final squad.

Alex Iwobi was named in Nigeria's 23-man squad for the competition and featured in all three games as the Super Eagles were knocked out in the group stage.

Alex Iwobi was included in Nigeria's squad for the 2019 tournament.

Alex Iwobi was named in the Nigeria squad for the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in 2022.

At the 2023 African Cup of Nations, Alex Iwobi was in the Nigerian squad and played all seven games as Nigeria emerged runner-up, losing the final game to hosts, Ivory Coast.

In December 2024, Alex Iwobi opened a temporary shop in east London which gave out free food for local residents for Christmas.