FIFA Club World Cup winner Tosin Adarabioyo on first-ever Nigeria visit: I feel at home

Chelsea defender and FIFA Club World Cup winner, Tosin Adarabioyo, has described his emotional and warm first visit to Nigeria as a powerful connection to his roots.

His first visit to Nigeria comes at a time when his international profile is rapidly rising, and he feels a renewed sense of identity and pride.

Adarabioyo, a key figure in Chelsea’s recent success, played an important role in the Blues’ impressive 2024/25 season, helping secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, clinching the UEFA Conference League title, and ultimately lifting the FIFA Club World Cup.

Speaking in an interview on ARISE, the England international opened up about the unique calm and familiarity he felt upon landing in his ancestral homeland.

“As soon as you touch down and you step off the plane, you automatically feel that calmness, that you’re at home, you breathe the air, you just feel - it felt very special,” Adarabioyo said.

The visit marked a memorable milestone for the 26-year-old defender, who travelled with his family, including his two brothers, to experience Nigeria for the first time.

“It’s my first time in Nigeria, so it’s been a very nice time. Warm welcome from everybody as soon as I landed. I had a very nice, very nice welcome. I’m experiencing everything for the first time here with my family, with my two brothers, first time being in Nigeria,” he added.

The defender’s heartfelt reflections show the importance of heritage for many players of Nigerian descent thriving in global football.

While he continues to build his career in England, Adarabioyo’s visit signals a growing bond with the football-loving country of his origins.