Alex Iwobi Biography, Net Worth, Salary, Career, Parents, Girlfriend & Lifestyle

Only a few African players can combine technical flair and creativity with a relentless work ethic. Born on 3 May 1996, Alexander Chuka Iwobi is a Super Eagles midfielder who plays for Premier League side Fulham. He is a skilled player who plays in several midfield positions. He can play as a central or attacking midfielder and can create magic and creativity at the center of the park.

He began his career at Arsenal, helping the team win the English FA Cup in 2017 and finishing runners-up in the EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League in 2018 and 2019, respectively. In 2019, he joined Everton, and in 2013, he secured a move to Fulham Football Club.

Iwobi is one of the best Nigerian midfielders in Europe and is often called up whenever the Super Eagles of Nigeria face a crucial match. This article covers everything about Alex Iwobi’s biography, salary, net worth, career, and personal life.

Early Life and Career

Alexander Iwobi was born in Lagos on May 3, 1996, in Lagos. At the age of 4, he was moved to London, United Kingdom, after a brief stay in Turkey. Iwobi was raised in Newham, London, before joining the Arsenal football academy as a little boy (8) while still in primary school.

In 2004, he was nearly released by Arsenal at 14 and again at 16. His father, Chuka Iwobi, was also a footballer, and his mother’s brother is Jay-Jay Okocha. He represented England at youth levels, including the under-18 level, but pledged allegiance to Nigeria.

He first gained serious attention after breaking into the Gunners’ first team in 2015. He trained with the first team and on 25 September 2013, he got his first call-up when listed as a substitute in a League match against West Bromwich Albion, but he was an unused substitute.

His first-team debut came on 27 October 2015 in a round of 16 game of the League Cup, which ended in a 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. He made his Premier League debut for Arsenal four days later in a 3-0 victory against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium after coming up as a stoppage-time substitute for Mesut Özil.

He made his UEFA Champions League debut as an 85-minute substitute in a 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich. He got his first Champions League start in a 3-1 away defeat to FC Barcelona and consequently went on to score two goals in his first two starts in the Premier League in wins against Everton and Watford.

He helped Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2017 and also played a big part in the UEFA Europa League campaign in 2019, where they finished in second place after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea, a match in which he scored a goal.

After accumulating over 100 appearances for Arsenal, Iwobi moved to Everton for £34 million, making him the most expensive Nigerian footballer at the time. While his initial seasons were a period of adaptation, he eventually became one of the team’s most important and consistent performers. His versatility saw him play in various midfield and attacking roles, showcasing his tactical intelligence and work rate.

He played strongly and was at his best whenever introduced to the pitch. His creativity, flair, work rate, and versatility won him the Players’ Player of the Season in the 2022-23 season.

In September 2023. Iwobi joined Fulham for £22 million. The move reunited him with former manager Marco Silva, and he quickly established himself as a key creative force in their midfield. He’s a key member of the squad and helped the club retain its top-flight status in the Premier League. At Fulham, he became the Nigerian with the most minutes in the English Premier League.

International Career

Alex Iwobi was eligible to represent the Three Lions of England or his native country, Nigeria. He had represented England at youth levels and notably won the Victory Shield with them in 2011.

After earning 11 caps for England at the youth level, Alex Iwobi chose to play for Nigeria in 2015 after talks with his uncle, Austin Jay Jay Okocha. He made his senior debut for the Nigerian national football team on 8 October 2015 after coming up as a substitute for Ahmed Musa in the 57th minute against an international friendly game against DR Congo in Visé, Belgium, which ended in a 2-0 defeat.

He was selected along with other players in Nigeria’s 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics but was excluded from the 18-man final squad.

In August 2017, he pulled out of the Super Eagles squad for the World Cup qualifiers due to injury. In October 2017, he went on to score a crucial goal for Nigeria in a 1–0 win over Zambia, which was instrumental in securing Nigeria’s place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Iwobi featured in all three games at the 2018 World Cup after making the 23-man squad, but sadly, Nigeria were knocked out in the group stage of the tournament.

Perhaps his most iconic moment in the green and white jersey came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he scored the winning goal in the quarter-final against Cameroon, endearing himself to millions of Nigerian fans. He remains a regular starter for the national team, known for his composure and creativity in midfield.

He also made the squad for the AFCON 2019, 2021, and 2023. Most remarkably, he helped the Super Eagles finish third and second-place at the 2019 and 2023 African Cup of Nations.

At the 2023 AFCON, Iwobi was a key part of the Super Eagles’ midfield and played all seven games as Nigeria went all the way to the final, where they lost to the hosts, the Ivory Coast.

He has already racked up around 85 caps, scoring 10 goals and giving many assists at the time of writing. His creativity, playing style, and generosity have impressed several fans as well as his manager, Marco Silva.

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Personal Life

In 2024, Iwobi launched his music career as a rapper under the stage name “17,” a reference to his squad number at Fulham.

His debut single, titled “Don’t Shoot,” was released in June 2024, and it features guest appearances from ex-Arsenal teammate Chuba Akpom as well as Skoli and Medy Elito (Don-EE). The track received attention and has accumulated over 125,000 streams on Spotify.

In October 2024, he released an Afro-inspired single, titled “What’s Luv?,” featuring the likes of SPKS and MBrown. In December 2024, Iwobi extended a show of love to the needy by opening “Alexpress,” a temporary corner shop in London, which gave free food to residents and families, despite the intense Premier League fixtures during Christmas.

Alex Iwobi lives a modest life away from the pitch. He has dated Clarisse Juliette but has moved on to Ellie Mae, a British-based influencer and co-founder of a digital marketing agency.

Iwobi’s father is a lawyer, and he has a sister named Marie. He loves and cherishes his family deeply and lives close to the family house in London. Alex spends on jewelry, good clothing, and is known to be a lover of automobiles.

He has been spotted with several cars, including a Bentley Continental GT, Range Rover Velar, G-Wagon, and other Mercedes-Benz cars.

Alex Iwobi’s Salary and Net Worth

Alex Iwobi’s weekly wage at Fulham is about £83,000, and he reportedly earns over £4.3 million annually.

His total net worth is estimated to be roughly between £31 and £35 million, from his salary, bonuses, investments, music releases, and endorsements. His net worth in Nigerian Naira is around ₦35 billion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Alex Iwobi

1. Is Alex Iwobi related to Jay-Jay Okocha?

Yes, he is! Alex Iwobi is the nephew of Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha. Okocha is the brother of Iwobi’s mother.

2. Which club does Alex Iwobi play for now?

As of 2024, Alex Iwobi plays for Fulham FC in the English Premier League.

3. How old is Alex Iwobi?

Alex Iwobi is 29 years old. He was born on May 3, 1996.

4. Why did Iwobi choose Nigeria over England?

Despite playing for England’s youth teams, Iwobi felt a strong connection to his Nigerian heritage. He stated that it was always a dream for him and his family to represent the Super Eagles.

5. What is Alex Iwobi’s net worth?

While figures vary, Alex Iwobi’s estimated net worth is between $10 million and $15 million, accumulated from his football contracts and endorsement deals.