Alex Iwobi’s final appearance for Fulham on Saturday evening was a milestone in his Premier League career.
When he took to the field, the Nigerian midfielder joined an exclusive club and became only the fifth African player to make 300 appearances in the English top flight since the breakout in 1992.
His achievement highlights the legacy of durability and high-level performance from the continent’s top stars. Iwobi is the first Nigerian to achieve this milestone, but he is not the only notable figure on this prestigious list.
Here are the five African players who have played 300 or more games in the Premier League.
The African players with 300 Premier League appearances
Touré bike (353)
Kolo Toure remains the standard-bearer for African longevity in the Premier League, having made 353 appearances for Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
22-year-old Kolo Toure played 37/38 Premier League games as Arsenal became INVINCIBLES
Legend💯 pic.twitter.com/0fhiENsGOg
— UpYourArsenal🔴⚪🔴⚪♥️ (@UPYOURARSENAL04) July 11, 2022
A fundamental part of two different title-winning sides, the Ivorian was part of Arsenal’s legendary ‘Invincibles’ before lending his experience to City’s first Premier League victory. While his brother Yaya would also become a Manchester City legend, Kolo set an unparalleled benchmark for defensive consistency.
Mohammed Salah (310)
The Egyptian forward is the only player on this list who is still operating at the peak of the game, and his numbers are expected to grow significantly.
His first spell in England was a short, unsuccessful stint at Chelsea under José Mourinho, where he made just thirteen league appearances before being loaned out to Italy. Since returning to England from Liverpool in 2017, Salah has redefined attacking excellence. He has become a global icon, breaking goalscoring records and securing multiple Golden Boots.
Mo Salah has 300 goals in 350 games.
300.
What we’re experiencing shouldn’t be real 🇪🇬👑 pic.twitter.com/vTD6xYU8Nh
— Rijk van de Kop (@empireofthekop) August 17, 2024
Wilfried Zaha (305)
Wilfried Zaha became synonymous with Crystal Palace. A product of the club’s youth academy, he made his senior debut in 2010 and played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2013.
That success earned him a high-profile £10 million transfer to Manchester United, becoming Sir Alex Ferguson’s last ever signing. After a short spell, he returned to Palace to become the club’s talisman for more than a decade. The Ivorian winger was one of the most feared strikers in the league. He carried the club’s attacking threat almost single-handedly at times with his electrifying pace and match-winning dribbling ability.
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Jordan Ayew (305)
At the same level as former teammate Zaha, Jordan Ayew has quietly built one of the most consistent careers in the league. An epitome of ruthless industry, the Ghanaian forward has shown remarkable durability during spells at Aston Villa, Swansea City and Crystal Palace.
He was appreciated by successive managers for his versatility and incredible work-rate, proving himself to be an indispensable asset both from the start and from the bench, despite a disappointing scoring record.
Alex Iwobi (300)
Iwobi, the club’s newest member, is the first Nigerian to achieve the feat of 300 Premier League games. Being the cousin of Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha, he has carried the weight of a famous name throughout his career.
Alex Iwobi becomes the first Nigerian player to reach 300 Premier League appearances 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/ygPsvJsplZ
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 25, 2025
The midfielder’s journey has required some serious adaptability. After breaking through at Arsenal, he had a high-profile spell at Everton before finding a new role at Fulham, where he successfully transitioned from a creative winger to a robust central midfielder.
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