From Kanu to Awoniyi: Every single Nigerian scorer in the Premier League

The newest Nigerian scorer in the top flight, Awoniyi marked his return to the Premier League—and his signing for Nottingham Forest—with the winner against West Ham United.

Expect many more from the former Union Berlin man.

One of two Nigerians to net their debut goal in the Premier League this weekend, Aribo came off the bench to net in the come-from-behind draw against Leeds United.

Can the ex-Rangers midfielder inspire the Saints out of the dangerzone this season?

Magnificent left-back who peaked too soon, Taiwo scored once while on loan at Queens Park Rangers, helping Mark Hughes’ side avoid relegation.

Played in the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers, but scored in the top flight while on the books of Watford, failing to help them evade the drop in 2006-07.

Remarkably, for Nigeria’s most successful player in the Premier League, Mikel only scored once in the top flight.

He made up for it with a haul of silverware for Chelsea.

The wideman came through the ranks with Manchester City before eventually moving on, permanently, to Portsmouth.

He scored his only top flight goal against Bolton, and has been unemployed since leaving Carlisle United in 2020.

Balogun’s only goal during a brief spell with Brighton & Hove Albion came in their fierce derby against Crystal Palace.

The defender’s goal was influential in helping the Seagulls secure a 3-1 victory.

Things simply didn’t work out for Success at Watford, although he did at least score twice for the Hornets during his controversial injury-hit spell in Hertfordshire.

The legendary Super Eagles skipper is Nigeria’s most capped player, but he only managed two goals during a testing spell at Leicester City.

Netted twice across 42 Premier League appearances with Hull City, but was ultimately unable to prevent them from tasting relegation in 2015.

Aluko looked a far more accomplished player in the Championship, and is currently in the third tier with Ipswich Town.

Has spent just one season in the Premier League, scoring twice for West Bromwich Albion as they tumbled out of the top flight.

Aina came through the ranks at Chelsea before moving permanently to Torino in 2019, although he returned to London with Fulham on loan during the 2020-21 season.

The versatile wing-back netted twice during that relegation campaign with the Cottagers.

Enjoyed almost a decade in English football, playing in the top two divisions of the English game.

Olofinjana’s two Premier League goals came in the top flight with Stoke City between 2008 and 2010.

Currently back at Girondins de Bordeaux in the French second tier after failing to truly realise the potential he demonstrated as a youngster at Sunderland.

Maja has scored three goals in his year in the Premier League with Fulham.

Brown’s time in the Premier League was brief and unspectacular—a disappointment for a Nations Cup winner—with the attacker only scoring four goals during his season with West Bromwich Albion.

Featured for Sunderland and Fulham in the Premier League, netting four goals from the base of the midfield.

Long-time servant with Chelsea, Babayaro won a series of cup competitions with the Blues largely during their pre-Roman Abramovich era.

He scored five goals during his near-eight seasons at Stamford Bridge.

Widely considered a flop in the English game, Finidi scored six goals at Ipswich Town as their Premier League hopes imploded.

Best known in England for his FA Cup success with Portsmouth, Utaka nonetheless scored seven goals in the top flight for Pompey.

Not known for his goalscoring, Ndidi has nonetheless bagged seven goals since signing for Leicester City.

Defensive stalwart and Nations Cup winner with Nigeria, Yobo scored eight goals across eight years of service for Everton.

Returning to the top flight with Nottingham Forest this season, Dennis has already proven he can trouble Premier League defences.

He scored 10 goals as Watford fell short of survival last term, but can he keep the Tricky Trees afloat this season?

A Nigeria great, Amokachi didn’t quite hit it off in the Premier League, scoring just 10 goals during his time with Everton.

He was more successful in the FA Cup, scoring twice in the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur as the Toffees went on to clinch the cup—their last honour to date.

Lookman has scored 11 goals during a stop-start career in which he’s featured in the Prem for Everton, Fulham and Leicester City.

He recently scored on his debut for Atalanta after signing for the Serie A side from RasenBallsport Leipzig.

Akinbiyi netted 11 goals across two seasons with Leicester City, although more had been expected after he had been recruited for £5.5 million by the Foxes to replace Liverpool-bound Emile Heskey.

One of the all-time great Nigerian players, few talents in the history of the PL have lit up the division quite like Okocha.

He ended his time among the elite with 14 goals.

The second highest scoring Nigerian player still active in the Premier League, Iwobi has netted 15 goals across spells with Arsenal and Everton.

Things ultimately didn’t work out for Ighalo at Manchester United, but makes the cut here for the 16 goals he scored during his time with Watford, having helped them reach the Prem.

The second highest scoring Nigerian who also has a Premier League winner’s medal, Moses has represented the likes of Wigan Athletic, Liverpool, West Ham United and Stoke City during a nomadic career.

He’s scored 20 top flight goals, and was a PL winner with Chelsea.

A striker who arguably had it all, Anichebe didn’t quite realise the career trajectory that was expected when he broke onto the scene at Everton.

He nonetheless scored 26 goals against some of the world’s best defences during his time with the Toffees, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland.

Joined Premier League Newcastle United at a young age, but arguably never truly achieved his potential in English football.

He scored 28 goals in the top flight, but his greatest achievement came with Birmingham City’s League Cup success in 2011.

Arguably underrated for all he achieved with—in particular—West Bromwich Albion, Odemwingie ended his Prem career with 36 goals.

It’s a surprise he only netted 10 goals for the Super Eagles across over 60 appearances for the West African giants.

The top scoring Nigerian player in the PL, Iheanacho has netted 37 goals across spells with Manchester City and current club Leicester City.

How much further can Iheanacho climb in this list?

Long-term servant for Newcastle United, Ameobi never hit double figures in a single Premier League season, but ended up with 43 top flight goals for the Magpies.

Nigeria’s pioneer in the Premier League, Ekoku was an Africa Cup of Nations winner in 1994, and bagged 52 goals in the top flight.

He scored 15 of his strikes for Norwich City, and the rest for Wimbledon.

A Premier League winner with Arsenal, Kanu also clinched the FA Cup with Portsmouth, and saved West Bromwich Albion from an unlikely relegation.

He scored 54 goals during his storied spell in the top tier.

Nigeria’s all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League, Yakubu scored 95 goals across spells with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers.

His near-century haul is unlikely to be bested anytime soon.