Nwankwo Kanu is among the most decorated African players, boasting an Olympic finalist gold medal and winning the African Player of the Year twice.
He is fondly remembered for his iconic goal celebrations and was an integral part of the Arsenal Invincible squad. Kanu is the third-most substitute player in the English Premier League, coming from the bench 118 times.
The former Nigerian footballer has had an illustrious career. Here are more details about Nwankwo Kanu’s net worth and sources of income.
Nwankwo Kanu’s profile summary
| Full name: | Nwankwo Kanu |
| Nickname: | Papilo |
| Gender: | Male |
| Date of birth: | 1st August 1976 |
| Zodiac sign: | Leo |
| Place of birth: | Owerri, Nigeria |
| Current residence: | Hertfordshire, England |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity: | African |
| Religion: | Christian |
| Sexuality: | Straight |
| Height in feet: | 6’5 |
| Height in centimetres: | 197 |
| Weight in pounds: | 176 |
| Weight in kilograms: | 80 |
| Hair color: | Black |
| Eye color: | Brown |
| Mother: | Susan Kanu |
| Father: | Iheme Kanu |
| Siblings: | (2) Christopher and Ogbonna |
| Relationship status: | Married |
| Partner: | Amarachi Nwankwo |
| Children: | Sean Chukwudi, Pinky Kanu and Iyang Onyekachi |
| Profession: | Footballer, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur |
| Net worth: | $9 million |
Nwankwo Kanu’s net worth net worth is an impressive $9 million
Nwankwo Kanu’s net worth is estimated to be $9 million as of 2023. The former Arsenal forward holds an impressive portfolio of businesses, which include Kanu Sports TV and charity-based foundation Kanu Heart Foundation.
Moreover, the Nigerian international owns London properties besides a luxury car collection.
Who is richer between Kanu and Okocha? In the 20 richest African footballers list, Jay Jay Okocha is slightly ahead with a $15 million net worth over his Nigerian peer.
He had a standoff with Arsenal management
Nwankwo Kanu’s career earnings were £40,000 a week at Inter Milan before he made his $4.5 million move to English side Arsenal.
However, his earnings were significantly reduced to £25,000 a week at the London club, which led to a standoff between the player and management that was later resolved.
He was the FIFA U-17 Championship and an Olympic Gold winner in 1996
Kanu had an illustrious career that included playing for European clubs like Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, and Portsmouth.
The former footballer began his career in Nigeria by playing for his local club, Federation Works, before transferring to Iwuanyanwu Nationale.
He would only move to Europe following his impressive display at the U-17 World Champions, prompting Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam to beg for his signature.
Kanu is a UEFA Champions League winner with Ajax, which facilitated his transfer to Italian giants Inter Milan for $4.7 million. However, his time with the Nerazzurri was marred by injuries, prompting Milan to sell him to English Premier League side Arsenal.
Although the former Arsenal forward was primarily deployed as a substitute during Arsenal’s 2003–2004 season, he was an integral part of their invincible squad. He played 197 games for the Gunners, scoring over 44 goals, and is also an FA Cup winner.
Kanu later moved from the club to West Bromwich Albion, where he also won an FA Cup, before finishing his career at Portsmouth.
On the International stage, the former footballer won the FIFA U-17 Championship and an Olympic Gold winner in 1996. He was capped by the Super Eagles 86 times and netted 13 goals.
Kanu is also recognized as one of the best African players after he won the African Footballer of the Year twice in 1996 and 1999.
He is a philanthropist
Where is Kanu Nwankwo now? Although Kanu retired from professional football, he currently works to support Nigerian grassroots football.
He is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and the African brand ambassador for digital Chinese TV operator StarTimes. Moreover, he is also the proud owner of Kanu Sports TV, an internet sports television company.
The former Arsenal player is also a philanthropist and founded the Kanu Heart Foundation, which primarily works to help young African children with heart defects and provides care for homeless children.
The prognosis came after Kanu underwent a successful heart surgery that was discovered while undergoing a medical at Inter Milan before his transfer.
He has a chain of hotels and restaurants
Nwankwo Kanu is one of the wealthiest footballers in Africa. He owns houses in Hadley Wood, Enfield, London, his hometown of Owerri, and Abuja. His garage has an impressive range of cars, including a Ferrari, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.
He also has an expansive portfolio of businesses, including a chain of hotels and restaurants in the hospitality sector.
Nwankwo Kanu’s hotel Hardly Apartment was recently on the news following a dispute where unnamed persons tried to seize it following an ongoing debt suit at the Federal Nigerian Court.
Nwankwo Kanu’s net worth and philanthropy have enabled him to take on a new initiative in his native Nigeria to help develop grassroots football.
