The English Premier League has witnessed some of the greatest Nigerian football talent to ever grace the game. Who can forget the skill and flair of Jay-Jay Okocha? The joint most capped Nigerian player in history, Joseph Yobo? The goals of striker Yakubu Ayegbeni? The midfield displays of Jon Obi Mikel? And the absolute genius of Nwankwo Kanu?
These are just some of the leading Nigerian football players to have played in the Premier League. However, one glance at the Premier League today reveals several quality Nigerian players currently plying their trade in the English topflight. One of which has gained many headlines over the past month having returned to the Premier League from a spell playing in China.
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His name is Odion Ighalo and the striker has enjoyed a promising start to his loan at Manchester United. The former Watford man has already found the back of the net for the Red Devils and rumours are circulating about the potential for the deal to become permanent in the summer. If Ighalo continues to score goals for Manchester United until the end of the season and helps them to a trophy and Champions League football next season then a deal could be on the table.
Lots of UK listed sports betting sites offer bets on the Premier League and some of those include potential transfers. Another Nigerian football star who could be making the move to Old Trafford in the summer is Wilfred Ndidi. The Leicester City midfielder has become one of the key players for The Foxes since he arrived in 2016 from Genk in Belgium.
Taking up a defensive position in midfield, Ndidi is vital to the way Leicester City play and his absence due to injury in the 2019/20 campaign has really shown his worth to the team. At just 23 years of age, Ndidi has a bright future in the Premier League whether it be at Leicester City or if he makes a move to another top English club.
Another Nigerian international playing at the King Power Stadium is Kelechi Iheanacho. The striker did not get much of an opportunity while at Manchester City and will be hoping he can become a regular starter for Leicester City in the future. Jamie Vardy is 33 years old at the time of writing and although a great player, time is soon going to catch up with the striker. Therefore, Iheanacho could be handed the regular starting opportunity he has been waiting for since making the move to the Premier League back in 2012.
Iheanacho, like Ndidi, is just 23 years of age and has plenty of time to fulfil his promise in the Premier League. Alex Iwobi, now of Everton, is also 23 and will be hoping to take full advantage of his move to Everton from Arsenal last summer. Having joined Arsenal while still at primary school, Iwobi already has a long history in the English game and 40 caps for Nigeria. His pace a trickery could see him become a favourite of the Goodison Park faithful and join the likes of Okocha, Yobo, Yakubu, Obi Mikel and Kanu as Nigerian football legends in the Premier League.
