There are a number of Nigerian footballers in Europe. The richest Nigerian footballer in Europe is said to be Nwankwo Kanu, the striker who has played for Ajax, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth. Other rich Nigerian footballers are John Utaka, and Joseph Yobo.
Kanu is perhaps the most well known Nigerian footballer. He was a member of the national team for a total of 16 years and has won a number of trophies in his career. These trophies include the Premier League, and the FA Cup in England, as well as the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. He also won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1996. His goal scoring record for his country is 13 goals in 87 games, and he scored over 100 goals for the club sides he played for.
Utaka can play as either a striker, or an attacking midfielder. The player has 43 caps for Nigeria, scoring six goals, and is currently playing his club football for Montpellier in France. He has previously played for the French clubs Lens and Rennes, as well as for the English side Portsmouth, with who he won the FA Cup in 2008. He has played in Egypt, and his goal scoring record at club level is 98 goals in over 350 games.
Yobo is currently the captain of the Nigerian national team, and has spent most of his club career at the English Premier League side, Everton. He is a central defender and was the first signing of the Everton manager David Moyes. Other clubs Yobo has played for are Standard Liege in Belgium, and Marseille in France.
- Other Nigerian footballers in Europe
Nigerian footballers have played throughout Europe and some of the other most well known include John Obi Mikel, Obafemi Martins and Peter Odemwingie.
