Chelsea Pay Tribute to Nigerian Football Legend After Making History With the Club
- Chelsea Football Club have paid tribute to former Nigerian international Celestine Babayaro, who clocked 47 on Friday, August 29
- The Nigerian legend played for the club from 1997 to 2005, making history as their record teenage signing for £2.25 million
- During his tenure, time at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won four titles, including the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, and Community Shield
Chelsea Football Club of England have paid tribute to former Nigerian international Celestine Babayaro, who made history with the Stamford Bridge club.
Babayaro spent the majority of his career playing in the Premier League, mainly for Chelsea from 1997 to 2005.
He moved to the London outfit for a transfer fee of £2.25 million, a club record paid for a teenager at the time.
Source: Getty Images
The Blues won four titles during his time at the club, as they clinched the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1997–98, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield.
The former left-back made 197 appearances for Chelsea and registered nine goals in all competitions.
He has continued to identify with the club despite his exit more than two decades ago.
Chelsea celebrate Babayaro at 47
Meanwhile, Chelsea has paid tributes to the star as he celebrates his 47th birthday. The Premier League club took to social media to share a picture of their legend with the caption:
"Happy Birthday, Celestine Babayaro".
Meanwhile, fans have taken to the comment section of the club's post on X.
@michaelpacific replied:
"He is the reason I support Chelsea."
@GAgukwe62924 added:
"Happy birthday to you my childhood friend Celestine Babayaro. We grow up together in the same street in Kaduna Nigeria.
"A legend, an Olympian(Atlanta 96 Gold Medalist), Play for Chelsea FC for 8 seasons. Won many Trophies with Chelsea."
@iderima posited:
"This was the first Nigerian to play for Chelsea... It was because of him l joined Chelsea. He was so instrumental in the club. He played LB at the time."
@barhollah
"Happy birthday C.B! You're the one who got me supporting Chelsea, and I'm forever grateful. Wishing you a fantastic day and many more years of happiness, good health, and Chelsea wins!"
@Ajelegrandson said:
"He was the reason I became a Chelsea fan, as to support my fellow compatriot and never turn back ever since."
@shbgpsum posted:
"One of the reasons I became a full Chelsea fan. His influence, his role in the creation and growth of Chelsea’s Nigerian /African audience, is highly underrated."
@luiz_peetha wrote:
"He was the reason I started supporting this club. My neighbours used to say he had a house close to ours back then."
Source: Getty Images
Babayaro makes rare public appearance
Legit.ng earlier reported that Celestine Babayaro, who also had a stint with English club Newcastle United, made a rare public appearance, showing off his dancing skills in a viral video.
His brother, equally an ex-international, Emmanuel Babayaro, took to social media to share footage of Celestine dancing while wearing a white shirt and black trousers.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
