Iwobi Makes EPL History with 100 Matches for Three Clubs

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has made history in the Premier League. He is now one of only five players ever to play 100 matches for three different clubs, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Iwobi hit this milestone while starting for Fulham in their 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Before this match, he had already played 100 Premier League games for Arsenal and 123 for Everton. His overall total in the league now stands at 322 games.

Iwobi joins the ranks of Gareth Barry, James Milner, Gary Speed, and Rory Delap as the only players to reach 100 or more Premier League appearances for three different clubs.

Fulham took the lead in the 11th minute when Joshua King scored a deflected goal past Dean Henderson. Crystal Palace equalized in the 35th minute when Tyrick Mitchell scored after his first goal was ruled offside by VAR.

Cesar Palacios put Fulham ahead again in the 42nd minute with a rebound goal. But Mitchell scored his second goal nine minutes into the second half, making it 2-2.

Crystal Palace completed the comeback in the 77th minute when Ben Chilwell scored from a loose ball in the box. Fellow Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey also played for Fulham in this match.

This result means Fulham has had a tough start to the season under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa. They already lost 3-2 to Chelsea on the opening day and then fell 1-0 to Sunderland.

Iwobi's journey to this milestone began far from Craven Cottage. He was born in Lagos and moved to England as a child. He joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy at just six years old.

Iwobi worked his way up through the youth ranks before Arsene Wenger gave him his senior debut in a League Cup match at the start of the 2015/16 season.

Just four days later, on October 31, 2015, he made his Premier League debut as a substitute in a 3-0 win over Swansea City.

He spent four seasons at Arsenal, playing as a winger and attacking midfielder. He played alongside stars like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, finishing with 100 Premier League appearances, 11 goals, and 17 assists, plus an FA Cup winner’s medal.

Wenger's exit in 2018 changed everything for Iwobi, who said the news took the players by surprise.

In August 2019, Everton signed Iwobi for around €34m. He faced challenges as managers frequently changed his position between left wing, right wing, wing-back, and central midfield.

Slowly, he adapted and became a hardworking player known for his discipline. His best season was 2022/23, when he started all 38 Premier League matches, helping Everton avoid relegation. He left with 123 appearances, six goals, and 11 assists.

Fulham brought Iwobi in September 2023 with a contract lasting until 2028. He reunited with Marco Silva, who had briefly worked with him at Everton. This move has been a turning point for Iwobi, who is now a key player for Fulham’s midfield and scored over 18 goals in all competitions last season, his best return at any club.

Iwobi’s achievement also has significance for African football. Many African players have done well in the Premier League like Didier Drogba, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Yaya Toure, and Nwankwo Kanu, including his uncle, Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha. But none had reached 100 appearances for three different clubs before now.