Everton, one of the most iconic clubs in English football, has served as a platform for a good number of Nigerian stars to showcase their talents over the course of its historic 146-year history.
In the article, Footynaija.com ranks the top five Nigerian players that have donned the blue and white kit of the Merseyside club over the years.
5. Ademola Lookman
Lookman joined Everton from Charlton Athletic in the January transfer window of 2017. He spent two years at the Merseyside club with a brief loan spell at RB Leipzig coming during the second half of the 17/18 season. During his time as a Toffees player, Lookman was still just an emerging talent yet to really find his feet and this was evidenced by his tally of four goals in 48 appearances. Currently on the books of Atalanta, the Super Eagles star has since blossomed into one of the best attackers in Europe and now has both personal and collective accolades to his name.
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4. Alex Iwobi
After departing his boyhood club Arsenal in 2019, Iwobi spent the next five years of his career fine-tuning his game as an attacking midfielder at Everton. While at Goodison Park, the Nigeria international established himself as a key player for the Toffees, racking up 140 appearances and making 24 goal contributions (9G, 15A). Iwobi eventually left Everton for Fulham in the summer of 2023 where he has further evolved his game to include a more clinical edge.
3. Victor Anichiebe
Anichebe joined Everton’s academy at 15 and, after impressing in the reserves, signed his first professional contract in April 2006. He made his senior debut on 28 January 2006 in an FA Cup tie against Chelsea and scored his first Premier League goal weeks later against West Brom. Over seven seasons at Goodison Park (2006–2013), Anichebe became Everton’s all‑time most‑used substitute, netting 26 goals in 168 appearances. He shone in the 07/08 UEFA Cup, scoring four times and was voted Young Player of the Season, but despite consistent top‑six finishes and European runs, he left the Merseyside club without lifting a major trophy.
2. Yakubu Ayiegbeni
Yakubu joined Everton in August 2007 from Middlesbrough for a then club-record fee of £11.25 million, signing a five-year deal. The then Super Eagles striker made an instant impact by scoring on his debut and finished his first season with 21 goals, helping Everton secure UEFA Cup qualification. He spent four seasons with the Toffees, making 107 appearances and scoring 33 goals in all competitions. Despite suffering a serious Achilles tendon injury in his second season, he returned to score key goals, including against Chelsea and Stoke. While Yakubu did not win any trophies during his time at Everton, he remains one of the best Nigerian players to don their colours.
1. Joseph Yobo
Yobo, a former captain of the Super Eagles, joined Everton on loan from Marseille in July 2002, becoming David Moyes’ first signing. The move was made permanent in 2003 for a total fee of £5 million. Yobo went on to establish himself as a key figure in the squad, notably playing every minute of the 06/07 Premier League season and becoming the club’s record overseas appearance holder in 2007. He played for the Toffees until 2010, making 233 appearances across all competitions and scoring 10 goals.
