10 Nigerians that have played for Chelsea, see the full details right here right now on this article.
Considered one of the most successful clubs
in English football, Chelsea FC boasts of
several titles and laurels. Getting to play for a
top Premier League team like the Blues is, no
doubt, the dream of many footballers.
Interestingly, Chelsea FC has, over time, had
players of Nigerian descent ply their trade
with them. Below is a list of ten Nigerian
players that have played for Chelsea.
1. John Obi Mikel
Without a question, John Mikel Obi is the
most successful Nigerian to play at Stamford
Bridge.
After a transfer triangle involving his former
club Lyn, Manchester United, and Chelsea, it
was confirmed in June 2006 that the ex-Super
Eagles captain had signed for Chelsea.
Mikel was also a serial winner with Blues,
winning all the trophies at club level with
them. He spent an incredible 11 years at
Stamford Bridge, where he won every trophy
at club level – including the Premier League.
2. Celestine Babayaro
Dubbed “the African Roberto Carlos”, Chelsea
signed the Super Eagles legend for a club
record fee of £2.25 million in April 1997.
During his seven-year stay at the Stamford
Bridge, he made over 200 appearances, and
won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, UEFA Super
Cup, FA Cup, and Charity Shield.
Celestine Babayaro is one of the successful
Nigerians to play for Chelsea.
3. Kenneth Josiah Omeruo
In January 2012, the center defender joined
Chelsea from Standard Liege in Belgium.
Following his move to the Blues, he was
promptly loaned out. He joined Spanish club
CF Leganes in 2019, concluding a seven-year
stint with the Blues.
Omeruo is also one of the London club’s
longest-serving Nigerian players.
4. Victor Moses
In August 2020, Chelsea signed the veteran
winger from Wigan. He made 87 appearances
for the Blues in all competitions, having spent
time on loan before returning to the Bridge to
help the club win the Premier League and FA
Cup under then-coach Antonio Conte.
During his stint with the Blues, he won the
Premier League, two FA Cups, and two
Europa League medals.
5. Kevin Tamaraebi Abraham
Abraham began his career as a Chelsea youth
product, making his first-team debut in 2016
before spending a season on loan with
Championship club Bristol City.
He has since spent more time on loan than at
the club. In 82 games during his long tenure
at Stamford Bridge, he has scored 30 goals.
However, he currently plays for A.S. Roma,
an Italian powerhouse.
6. Ola Aina
Under then-coach Jose Mourinho, the 25-
year-old Super Eagles player played for
Chelsea at the U-11, U-18, U-19, and U-21
levels, as well as the first team.
Due to a lack of first-team opportunities, the
winger eventually departed the London club
to join Torino in Serie A.
7. Fikayo Damilola Tomori
The Chelsea academy graduate and centre
defender/wing back has represented both
Canada and England at junior level.
Due to a lack of playing time at Stamford
Bridge, he was sold to A.C Milan. In his debut
season at San Siro, he won the Scudetto with
“The Rossoneri.”
8. Ross Barkley
The attacking midfielder was born in
Liverpool, Merseyside, on December 5, 1993,
and is of Nigerian descent. However, instead
of bearing his father’s name, he bears his
mother’s maiden name.
Ross joined Chelsea on the 5th of January
2018 for a cost of €15 million, and he donned
the club’s official number 8. It’s the same
number as the one he wore at Everton.
9. Faustino Rasheed Anjorin
The 20-year-old was born to a Nigerian
father and he is an English professional
footballer who plays as a midfielder for
Chelsea Football Club and on occasion, as a
right-wing forward.
He began his Chelsea career at the age of
seven, and he formally signed with the club
at the age of nine. In the 2017/2018 FA Youth
Cup, Anjorin was one of the goal scorers in
Chelsea’s second-leg victory over Arsenal.
10. Ike Dominque Ugbo
On September 21, 1998, he was born in
Lewisham, Greater London. He is of Nigerian
descent and began his football career at
Chelsea Football Club.
He began his professional football career in
2015 and has since been loaned out to
various Championship clubs. In August 2017,
he was sent on a season-long loan to
Barnsley, where he made his senior debut.
On the international level, he plays for the
Canadian national team.
