Taribo West, Taiye Taiwo among top 5 Nigerians who played for AC Milan as Chukwueze joins list

Nigerians have found a thriving home in the Italian Serie A, with Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman showcasing remarkable and historic performances in the previous season.

Osimhen achieved a groundbreaking feat as the first Nigerian, and indeed the first African, to claim the prestigious top scorer's award - Capocannonieri - by scoring an impressive 26 goals, leading Napoli to their first title victory in thirty years.

Not to be outdone, Lookman, Osimhen's compatriot, proved his worth with a tally of 13 goals for Atalanta, effortlessly adapting to the top-tier Italian football scene.

These outstanding displays have ignited a growing interest in Nigerian players among Serie A clubs.

The latest talent from the West African nation to embrace this opportunity is Samuel Chukwueze, who secured a five-year contract with AC Milan after his sensational performance for Villarreal last season, according to Football Italia.

Chukwueze's record of 13 goals and 11 assists in 50 competitive matches made him an appealing prospect for the Rosonerri.

Before his arrival, there were already some Nigerian players who blazed the trail and set the stage for the budding influx of Nigerian talents in Serie A.

Taye Taiwo

Taye Taiwo is undoubtedly one of the most tenacious defenders in the annals of Nigerian football. He ventured into AC Milan as a promising young player and plied his trade in the esteemed Italian Serie A.

Though renowned for his explosive prowess as a fullback, Taiwo couldn't quite reach the lofty heights that were anticipated of him during his time at Milan.

Nevertheless, he holds the distinction of being the most capped player among his fellow countrymen at the club, having made eight appearances.

Taribo West

Taribo West gained a legion of football fans who adored him for his remarkable haircut.

The exalted Nigerian football star showcased his skills at both Inter Milan and AC Milan during his illustrious career.

During his time at the red and black side of Milan, West featured in merely four games and impressively found the net once. To this day, he stands alone as the sole Nigerian player to have scored for the Rossoneri, per Transfermarkt.

Mohammed Aliyu Datti

At the tender age of 16, the Nigerian prodigy, Aliyu Datti, burst onto the scene but was eventually sacrificed by AC Milan to secure the signing of Ricardo Kaka from Sao Paulo.

With merely two appearances for AC Milan during his time at the club as a 16-year-old, Aliyu Datti might be perceived as a disappointing acquisition, GOAL reports.

However, his presence played a pivotal role in Milan's most triumphant period of this century, leading to Serie A and Champions League titles, not through his on-pitch abilities but rather through the crucial transfer that saw him being sold to make way for Kaka.

Kingsley Umunegbu

Having honed his skills in the Milan youth team, Umunegbu marked his official debut for the club during a Coppa Italia match against Catania on 20th December 2007, entering the field as a halftime substitute.

However, despite his potential, Umunegbu struggled to seize the chance to display his talent in the iconic red and black jersey.

Instead, he embarked on several loan spells in search of regular playing time. Unfortunately, his breakthrough into the Milan first team never materialized, leading to his eventual departure from the club.

Nnamdi Chidiebere Oduamadi

AC Milan secured the signing of the Nigerian winger from Torino back in 2010, but his journey with the club didn't go as expected. He was farmed out on loan on more than five occasions, Sempremilan reports.

Regrettably, his time at Milan was far from fruitful, resulting in just one appearance for the Rossoneri. His potential never fully blossomed during this stint with the club.