In a remarkable achievement, Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has surpassed the legendary John Mikel Obi’s record for the most minutes played by a Nigerian in the English Premier League. The milestone was reached during Fulham’s recent match against Newcastle United, where despite a 1-0 defeat, Iwobi showcased his endurance by playing the entire 90 minutes.
Iwobi’s cumulative Premier League minutes now stand at an impressive 16,289, eclipsing the previous record of 16,218 minutes set by former Chelsea stalwart Mikel Obi.
The 27-year-old’s journey in the Premier League commenced with Arsenal, where he made his debut on October 31, 2015. Following a successful stint with the Gunners, Iwobi transitioned to Everton in 2019 before joining Fulham last summer.
Throughout his career, Iwobi has been a consistent presence on the pitch, accumulating valuable playing time. This season alone, he has made 24 league appearances for Fulham, finding the net on five occasions. In total, Iwobi boasts 247 Premier League appearances, scoring 22 goals.
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John Mikel Obi, the previous record holder, enjoyed a distinguished career in the Premier League, notably spending 11 seasons with Chelsea. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he amassed an impressive collection of honors, including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and a Champions League triumph. Mikel Obi concluded his Premier League career with 249 appearances, scoring one goal and providing 10 assists.