All about Super Eagles Legend Nwankwo Kanu Biography, including his Net Worth,  Career Stats, Family, Clubs and Trophies.

 

Nwankwo Kanu OON, born on August 1, 1976, is a retired Super Eagles, Nigerian professional footballer renowned for his remarkable skills as a forward. A celebrated figure in football, Kanu made significant contributions to the Nigeria national team and played for various prestigious clubs, including Iwuanyanwu Nationale in Nigeria, AFC Ajax in the Netherlands, Inter Milan in Italy, and several English teams like Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, and Portsmouth. Often regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time, Kanu was a key member of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ and one of the few Africans to win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and an Olympic gold medal.

Nwankwo Kanu’s Net Worth

Kanu’s successful football career, combined with his ventures off the pitch, has contributed to his substantial net worth, estimated to be around $15 million. His wealth comes from lucrative contracts, endorsements, and various business ventures, including his role as a brand ambassador for StarTimes and owner of Kanu Sports TV.

Nwankwo Kanu Profile Summary

Full Name: Nwankwo Kanu OON
Date of Birth: August 1, 1976
Place of Birth: Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Height: 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)
Position: Forward

Net Worth: Approximately $15 million

Family:

• Wife: Amara Kanu (married in 2004)
• Children: Two daughters (Andrea and Teniola) and a son (Demetrius)

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Early Life and Background

Born in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, Kanu showed an early passion for football, starting his career with local club Federation Works before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. His outstanding performance in Nigeria’s victorious U-17 World Championship campaign led to a contract with AFC Ajax in 1993, marking the beginning of an illustrious international career.

Club Career

Ajax and Early Success

Kanu made his debut for Ajax in 1993, where he scored 25 goals in 54 appearances. He played a crucial role in Ajax’s UEFA Champions League victory in 1995 and featured in the final against Juventus in 1996.

Inter Milan

In 1996, Kanu transferred to Inter Milan for approximately $4.7 million. He captained the Nigerian National Football Team to a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics, scoring crucial goals in the semi-finals against Brazil. However, his career faced a significant hurdle when he was diagnosed with a heart defect shortly after joining Inter. Following successful surgery in 1997, he returned to football and continued his career.

Arsenal: The Golden Years

Kanu signed with Arsenal in 1999 for around £4.15 million. His debut was marked by controversy but quickly turned into success as he became known for his impact as a substitute. Kanu was instrumental in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumphs and was a vital part of the ‘Invincibles’ squad that went unbeaten in the 2003–04 Premier League season. He scored 44 goals in 197 appearances for the club.

West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth

After leaving Arsenal in 2004, Kanu joined West Bromwich Albion, where he made 58 appearances and scored nine goals. He later signed with Portsmouth, where he continued to make an impact, contributing to the team’s FA Cup victory in 2008.

International Career

Kanu represented Nigeria from 1994 to 2011, earning 86 caps and scoring 13 goals. He played in multiple FIFA World Cups and was a crucial player in Nigeria’s Olympic gold medal win in 1996.

Style of Play

Despite his tall stature of 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in), Kanu was known for his agility, technical skills, and exceptional ball control. His ability to play in various attacking roles and his knack for scoring important goals made him a fan favorite. He earned the nickname “super sub” for his ability to come off the bench and change games.

Clubs Played For:

• Iwuanyanwu Nationale
• AFC Ajax
• Inter Milan
• Arsenal
• West Bromwich Albion
• Portsmouth

International Career:

• Nigeria National Team: 1994–2011
• Caps: 86
• Goals: 13

Notable Achievements:

• UEFA Champions League Winner: 1995 (Ajax)
• Premier League Champion: 2001–02, 2003–04 (Arsenal)
• FA Cup Winner: 2001–02, 2002–03 (Arsenal), 2007–08 (Portsmouth)
• Olympic Gold Medalist: 1996 (Nigeria U23)

Personal Life

Kanu, a devout Christian, hails from the Aro sub-group of the Igbo ethnic group. His personal journey includes overcoming a congenital heart defect, which he has turned into a philanthropic mission through the Kanu Heart Foundation, dedicated to helping children with heart conditions.

Philanthropy

Kanu’s experience with a heart condition motivated him to establish the Kanu Heart Foundation in 2000. The foundation works to address homelessness and has built hospitals in Africa to treat children with heart diseases.

 

Honours and Achievements

Club Achievements

• Ajax
  • Eredivisie: 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96
  • UEFA Champions League: 1994–95
  • UEFA Super Cup: 1995
• Inter Milan
  • UEFA Cup: 1997–98
• Arsenal
  • Premier League: 2001–02, 2003–04
  • FA Cup: 2001–02, 2002–03
  • FA Charity Shield: 1999
• Portsmouth
  • FA Cup: 2007–08

International Achievements

• Nigeria U17
  • FIFA U-17 World Championship: 1993
• Nigeria U23
  • Olympic Games: 1996
• Nigeria
  • Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 1995
  • African Cup of Nations: Runner-up: 2000; Bronze: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008

Individual Awards

• African Footballer of the Year: 1996, 1999
• BBC African Footballer of the Year: 1997, 1999
• Ajax Talent of the Year: 1994–95

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FAQs about Nwankwo Kanu

1. What is Nwankwo Kanu’s net worth?
Kanu’s net worth is estimated to be around $15 million.

2. Which clubs did Kanu play for during his career?
Kanu played for Iwuanyanwu Nationale, AFC Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, and Portsmouth.

3. How many goals did Kanu score for the Nigeria national team?
Kanu scored 13 goals for Nigeria in 86 appearances.

4. What significant health issue did Kanu face during his career?
Kanu was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, which required surgery in 1997.

5. What major tournaments did Kanu win with Nigeria?
He won the FIFA U-17 World Championship and the Olympic gold medal in 1996.

6. What is the Kanu Heart Foundation?
The Kanu Heart Foundation aims to assist children with heart conditions and tackle homelessness in Africa.

7. When did Kanu retire from international football?
Kanu retired from international football in 2010 after the World Cup in South Africa.

8. What nickname did Kanu earn during his time at Arsenal?
Kanu was nicknamed “super sub” for his ability to come off the bench and score crucial goals.

9. How many FA Cup medals did Kanu win with Arsenal?
Kanu won three FA Cup medals during his time with Arsenal.

10. What is Kanu’s height?
Kanu stands at 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) tall.