Nigerian players to watch in 2026-27 Premier League season
The 2026-27 Premier League season is set to feature several Nigerian players, with some established names and new faces drawing attention. Among those, three players—David Akintola, Zadok Yohanna, and Benjamin Fredrick—have distinct paths to the top flight.
Akintola, a Hull City winger, is preparing for his first Premier League appearance at 30. His career has spanned multiple European leagues, including Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, and Turkey, before joining Hull in August 2025. He made 20 Championship appearances in 2025-26, contributing to Hull’s promotion through the playoffs.
Yohanna’s journey to the Premier League has been notably swift. The teenager moved from a Nigerian academy to AIK in Sweden in 2025, where he quickly progressed from youth football to the senior side. He recorded five goals and four assists in his initial 12 league appearances, leading to Brighton signing him on a five-year contract in June.
Brighton coach Fabian Hürzeler has indicated that Yohanna, who is 18, requires time to adapt to Premier League football, despite being included in Brighton‘s squad for the opening weekend. His pace and ability to bypass defenders were key factors in Brighton‘s investment.
Fredrick, a centre-back, developed through Simoiben Football Academy in Nigeria and gained senior experience with ABS FC and Nasarawa United. He joined Brentford on loan in August 2023 at 18. After initially struggling to adjust, he became a significant player in Brentford‘s youth system and gained international experience with Nigeria.
Following an injury-shortened loan spell with Dender, Fredrick returned to Brentford. He was recently promoted to the first team and signed a new four-year contract. He was named among the substitutes for Brentford‘s opening Premier League match against Tottenham.
Nigerian players’ earnings in the Premier League
The 2026-27 Premier League season also highlights the financial aspects for Nigerian footballers. Alex Iwobi of Fulham is estimated to be the highest-paid Nigerian player, with a gross fixed salary of £80,000 per week, amounting to £4.16 million annually before bonuses. His contract with Fulham runs until June 2027.
Iwobi‘s career includes over a decade in English football, making his Premier League debut for Arsenal in October 2015. He later played for Everton before joining Fulham in September 2023. He has accumulated over 300 Premier League matches, and in the 2025-26 season, he made 27 appearances, scored four goals, and provided three assists.
Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest is estimated to earn £60,000 per week, with his contract extending until June 2028. He has been a key part of Forest‘s defense since returning to England in 2023. In the 2024-25 season, he made 35 appearances, scoring twice and providing one assist.
Taiwo Awoniyi, also with Nottingham Forest, is estimated to earn £50,000 per week, with his contract set to expire in June 2027. Despite injuries affecting his Premier League career, he scored twice and assisted another goal in a 3-1 victory against Chelsea in May 2026, contributing to Forest‘s effort to remain in the division.
Calvin Bassey, a defender for Fulham, is estimated to earn £45,000 per week, with his contract running until June 2027. He joined Fulham from Ajax in July 2023 and has become a regular defender. In the 2024-25 campaign, he made 35 league appearances, starting 34 of them, and scored once.
Semi Ajayi of Hull City is estimated to earn £17,500 per week, with his contract concluding in June 2027. He brings Premier League experience, having played for West Bromwich Albion in the top flight. He joined Hull in June 2025 and played a crucial role in their promotion, starting in the playoff semi-final and final matches.
David Akintola, also with Hull City, is estimated to be the lowest-paid Nigerian on this list, with a gross fixed salary of £15,000 per week, and his contract extends until June 2027. He joined Hull in August 2025 and was part of the squad that secured promotion to the Premier League.
These salary figures are estimates based on public reporting and other sources, and they exclude bonuses, image rights, and other commercial income. Frank Onyeka also returns to the Premier League with Coventry City after helping them win the Championship and secure promotion.
Source: afrik-foot.com
