Nwankwo Kanu

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kanu was born in Owerri, Imo State. He began his career at Federation Works before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. After a notable performance in Nigeria's victorious U-17 World Championship campaign, he was signed by Ajax in 1993. He made his Ajax debut that year and scored 25 goals in 54 appearances. He came on as a sub in Ajax's 1995 UEFA Champions League final win over AC Milan, and started the 1996 final loss to Juventus. In 1996, Ajax sold him to Inter Milan for around $4.7 million. That summer he captained Nigeria to Olympic gold, scoring two late goals in the semi-final against Brazil. He was named African Footballer of the Year for 1996. Soon after returning from the Olympics, a medical revealed a serious heart defect. Inter president Massimo Moratti kept him and paid for surgery in Cleveland. Kanu underwent successful surgery in November and returned in April 1997. He founded the Kanu Heart Foundation after this experience. In February 1999, after just twelve league games and one goal for Inter, he was signed by Arsenal for approximately £4.15 million. He made his debut against Sheffield United in the FA Cup, a match overshadowed by a controversial goal. He scored his first Arsenal goal in the next round against Derby County. He became known for his two-fingered salute, which started in 1999 against Middlesbrough. He was named African Footballer of the Year again in 1999. In the 1999–2000 season he scored 17 times in 50 matches, including a hat-trick in fifteen minutes against Chelsea. In August 2001, Arsenal rejected a £7m bid from Fulham for Kanu. He won the 2003 FA Cup with Arsenal. He was a member of the 'Invincibles' in the 2003–04 season. He played 197 games for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals. In 2008, he was voted 13th in the 'Gunners' Greatest 50 Players' poll. In summer 2006, he played as a guest in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial at the Emirates Stadium, scoring the winning goal. He wore the number 25 shirt at Arsenal. After his contract ended, he moved to West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer in summer 2004. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw at Blackburn Rovers on 14 August 2004, and scored his first goal for them on 18 September 2004. He was guilty of a notable miss against Middlesbrough on 14 November 2004. West Brom avoided relegation in the 2004–05 season. On 15 October 2005, he scored against his former club Arsenal in a 2–1 win. West Brom

In Their Own Story

Kanu's debut for Arsenal in the FA Cup against Sheffield United is etched in club history, though not entirely for his footballing skill. With the score tied 1–1 and ten minutes remaining, goalkeeper Alan Kelly kicked the ball out for treatment on Lee Morris. When Ray Parlour threw it back intended for the keeper, Kanu chased it down the right wing unchallenged and centered for Marc Overmars to score the winner. Manager Arsène Wenger admitted this was not correct sportsmanship and offered to replay the match, which Arsenal won again despite the controversy. Beyond that moment, Kanu became a fan favorite for his two-fingered salute, which he explained was based on the team's nickname, The Gunners. In August 2006, he returned as a guest in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial at the new Emirates Stadium, scoring the winning goal to make it 1–1, becoming only the third person to score there before joining his former teammates in hoisting Bergkamp on their shoulders.

Reader's Guide

Kanu is a former forward who played for Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, and Portsmouth. He won a UEFA Champions League medal, an Intercontinental Cup, two Premier League titles, three Eredivisie titles, three FA Cup medals, and two African Player of the Year awards. He is one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, and an Olympic gold medal. He is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and African brand ambassador for StarTimes.

Did You Know?

• Kanu scored a hat-trick in fifteen minutes against Chelsea in October 1999 to turn a 2–0 deficit into a 3–2 victory.
• He was voted 13th in Arsenal's 'Gunners' Greatest 50 Players' poll in 2008.
• Kanu scored the winning goal in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial match, the first game at the Emirates Stadium.
• He founded the Kanu Heart Foundation after his own heart surgery.