Nigerian footballer Calvin Bassey has made history by becoming Fulham’s 2024/25 Player of the Season. He is the first Nigerian and African to win the award since the club’s founding.
The 25-year-old Super Eagles defender won with 39.6% of fan votes, leading a shortlist of five standout players. His Nigerian teammate, Alex Iwobi, came second with 21.5%, while American defender Antonee Robinson placed third with 19.9%. Goalkeeper Bernd Leno (10.9%) and midfielder Saša Lukić (8.1%) completed the top five.
Bassey had an excellent season, playing in 35 of Fulham’s 38 Premier League matches. He played a key role in the team’s 11th-place finish, helping secure five clean sheets and recording solid defensive stats: 0.6 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, 4.8 ball recoveries, and 3.2 clearances per game. Remarkably, he made just one error leading to a goal all season.
He also made contributions in attack, scoring two crucial goals — one in an FA Cup match against Manchester United and another in a league game against Nottingham Forest.
This award is a major achievement for Bassey and a proud moment for African football, as he becomes a trailblazer at the London-based club.
