Nwankwo Kanu, OON (born 1 August 1976), or simply Kanu, is a Nigerian footballer who is currently a free agent, having last played for Portsmouth. He was also a member of the Nigerian national team for 16 years from 1994 until 2010. Kanu is a member of the Igbo ethnic group;[2] his name, Nwankwo, means Baby boy born on Nkwo market day in the Igbo language.[3]
Kanu has won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup Winners Medals and two African Player of the Year awards amongst others. He is also one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal.[4] He holds the record for most substitute appearances in Premier League history, appearing from the bench 118 times.[5] He is also a UNICEF ambassador.[6]
