38 Facts About Nwankwo Kanu

Nwankwo Kanu was born on 1 August 1976 and is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Nwankwo Kanu was a member of the Nigeria national team, and played for Nigerian club Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Dutch side Ajax, Inter Milan of Italy, and English clubs Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.

Nwankwo Kanu is widely considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

Nwankwo Kanu is one of the few Africans to win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and an Olympic gold medal.

Nwankwo Kanu is one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic gold medal.

Nwankwo Kanu is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and African brand ambassador for digital TV operator StarTimes.

Nwankwo Kanu is the owner of Kanu Sports TV, an Internet sports television company.

Nwankwo Kanu made his Ajax debut that year and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances.

Nwankwo Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year for that year.

However, soon after returning from the Olympics, Nwankwo Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inter, which revealed a serious heart defect, and it was believed by doctors that his career was over.

Nwankwo Kanu underwent successful surgery in November to replace an aortic valve, and did not return to his club until April 1997.

In interviews, Nwankwo Kanu frequently cites his faith as a Christian, and has often mentioned this trying time of his career as an occasion when he prayed to God.

Nwankwo Kanu's experience led to his founding the Nwankwo Kanu Heart Foundation, an organisation that helps predominantly young African children who suffer heart defects and whose work was expanded to provide aid for homeless children in 2008.

Nwankwo Kanu made his debut for Arsenal, against Sheffield United in the FA Cup.

Nwankwo Kanu scored his first goal for the club in the next round of the cup against Derby County, coming off the bench to net the only goal of the game.

Nwankwo Kanu quickly became known for his goal scoring prowess from the bench, scoring important goals against Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa as a substitute.

Nwankwo Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year for the second time in 1999.

Nwankwo Kanu played 197 games for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals.

In 2008, Nwankwo Kanu was voted 13th in the "Gunners' Greatest 50 Players" poll.

Nwankwo Kanu remains a popular figure at Arsenal, being applauded when he appears at the Emirates Stadium.

Nwankwo Kanu had sent a low cross over the bar from a yard away from the goal line.

Philippe Senderos put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute, but Nwankwo Kanu equalised shortly before half time.

Nwankwo Kanu's contract had expired, and he chose not to renew it.

Nwankwo Kanu went on to finish the season as the top goal scorer for Portsmouth, with 12 goals altogether.

Nwankwo Kanu then signed a new one-year deal with the club.

Nwankwo Kanu later scored the winning goal against Bolton Wanderers, which ensured Pompey's safety.

Nwankwo Kanu re-signed with Pompey in August 2010, with an eye on becoming a coach when he retired.

Nwankwo Kanu signed a three-year deal and kept the number 27 shirt, but was not a regular starter throughout the course of the season and only managed two goals.

Nwankwo Kanu was a member of the Nigeria national team from 1994 to 2011, making his debut in a friendly against Sweden.

On 24 June 2010, Nwankwo Kanu ended his international career following Nigeria's exit from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Nwankwo Kanu won 86 caps and scored 13 goals for his country and was the joint most capped Nigerian player of all-time alongside Muda Lawal, until Joseph Yobo surpassed both players in 2012, winning his 87th cap.

Nwankwo Kanu was known for his determination and ability to hold-up the ball with his back to goal.

Nwankwo Kanu is considered by pundits to be one of the greatest African players of all time, and by some, as the greatest Nigerian player ever.

Nwankwo Kanu is a native of Abia State, southeast Nigeria, and a member of the Aro sub-group of the Igbo ethnic group.

Nwankwo Kanu means "Child born on Nkwo market day" in the Igbo language.

Nwankwo Kanu's younger brother, Christopher, was a footballer, who played as a defender; he has another younger brother, Ogbonna.

Nwankwo Kanu was born with a congenital heart defect, which impeded his aortic valve from closing properly; it was discovered and operated on in 1996.

Nwankwo Kanu undergoes an annual medical check-up for the condition.