Alex Iwobi makes Premier League history with Fulham milestone
Alex Iwobi has made Premier League history after reaching 100 appearances for Fulham, becoming only the fifth player in the competition’s history to record a century of appearances for three different clubs.
The Nigeria international reached the landmark after featuring for Fulham against Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Saturday, completing a remarkable Premier League journey that has taken him through Arsenal, Everton and now Fulham.
Iwobi had previously made exactly 100 Premier League appearances for Arsenal and 123 for Everton. His appearance against Crystal Palace took his Fulham tally to 100, placing him alongside Gareth Barry, Rory Delap, Gary Speed and James Milner in an exclusive group.
The achievement caps more than a decade of Premier League football for Iwobi, who has continually adapted to different managers, positions and tactical demands since making his top-flight debut with Arsenal.
From Arsenal academy to Premier League regular
Iwobi’s Premier League journey began at Arsenal, where he joined the academy as a six-year-old.
After progressing through the youth system, he was handed his senior debut by Arsene Wenger in the League Cup at the beginning of the 2015-16 season. Four days later, he made his Premier League debut in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Swansea City.
The Nigerian went on to make exactly 100 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, scoring 11 goals and providing 17 assists.
His most productive season for assists came in 2018-19, when he made 35 league appearances, scoring three goals and providing six assists.
Iwobi was predominantly deployed in attacking positions during his Arsenal years, operating from wide areas or behind the striker. He also formed part of the Arsenal squad that won the FA Cup in 2017 and featured in the club’s Community Shield victory over Chelsea later that year.
Arsenal provided the platform on which Iwobi established himself as a Premier League player. His move to Everton, however, would see his role evolve significantly.
Everton: the test of consistency
Everton signed Iwobi for about £34 million in August 2019, bringing greater expectations after his four seasons in Arsenal’s first team.
His time at Goodison Park produced the highest number of Premier League appearances he has made for a single club, with 123.
Iwobi scored six Premier League goals and provided 11 assists for Everton, but his importance to the team increasingly extended beyond attacking statistics.
Managers began using him in central midfield and deeper roles, requiring him to contribute defensively, carry the ball and cover significant ground.
That development was particularly evident during the 2022-23 season, when Iwobi started all 38 of Everton’s Premier League matches as the club battled to avoid relegation.
His time at Everton helped turn him from an attacking prospect into a more versatile and dependable midfielder capable of fulfilling different tactical responsibilities.
Fulham: a new chapter
Iwobi joined Fulham from Everton on 1 September 2023, signing a contract that runs until the summer of 2028.
The transfer reunited him with Marco Silva, who had previously worked with the midfielder at Everton, and his time at Craven Cottage has produced some of the most productive attacking numbers of his career.
In his first season at Fulham, Iwobi scored five Premier League goals and provided two assists.
He then enjoyed the highest-scoring league campaign of his career in 2024-25, scoring nine Premier League goals and providing six assists in 38 appearances.
He followed that with four goals and three assists in 29 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.
After starting the 2026-27 season with 99 Premier League appearances for Fulham, Iwobi needed just one more outing to complete his century.
That moment arrived against Crystal Palace, as the midfielder officially reached 100 appearances for the London club.
His Fulham spell has also highlighted his continued evolution. Rather than being used solely as an attacking player, Iwobi has increasingly operated as a midfielder capable of progressing the ball, creating chances, contributing defensively and taking responsibility in possession.
Silva has previously praised his performances and versatility, describing Iwobi as one of Fulham’s key players and highlighting his ability to operate in several positions.
Joining an exclusive group
Iwobi’s achievement places him alongside some of the Premier League’s most experienced players.
Gareth Barry remains one of the competition’s most enduring figures, finishing his career with 653 Premier League appearances. He made 365 appearances for Aston Villa, 132 for Manchester City and 131 for Everton.
Rory Delap also reached the 100-appearance mark for three clubs, doing so with Derby County, Southampton and Stoke City. He finished his Premier League career with 359 appearances.
Gary Speed achieved the feat with Leeds United, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers, making 143, 213 and 121 appearances respectively.
James Milner later joined the group, having already surpassed 100 appearances for Aston Villa and Manchester City before reaching the milestone with Liverpool in 2018. Milner went on to establish the Premier League appearance record with 658 matches.
Iwobi is now the fifth player to achieve the same landmark.
A milestone built on adaptation
Iwobi’s achievement is about more than reaching 300 Premier League appearances.
His career has been defined by his ability to adapt.
At Arsenal, he was an academy graduate developing into an attacking first-team player. At Everton, he became a dependable regular who could operate in multiple positions and handle demanding tactical responsibilities.
At Fulham, he has combined those qualities with greater attacking production while becoming an increasingly influential midfielder.
Across his Premier League career, Iwobi has now made more than 300 appearances, scoring and creating goals while establishing himself as one of the competition’s most experienced Nigerian players.
His journey from an Arsenal academy prospect to a three-club centurion is a reflection of his longevity, versatility and continued development.
Arsenal gave Iwobi his Premier League beginning. Everton tested his consistency and adaptability. Fulham have provided the latest chapter of his evolution.
Now, with 100 Premier League appearances for Fulham officially added to his 100 for Arsenal and 123 for Everton, Iwobi has secured his place in Premier League history.