Fresh off lifting the FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea, British-Nigerian defender Tosin Adarabioyo has returned to his roots with a notable appearance in Lagos.
Soccernet.ng sighted the towering center-back at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), where he received a warm welcome from football fans.
Adarabioyo’s visit comes just 10 days after Chelsea’s emphatic 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain crowned them champions at the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, and weeks after they clinched the UEFA Europa Conference League title with a dominant 4-1 victory over Real Betis.
In a picture circulating on social media, the 27-year-old paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ahead of the Tosin Adarabioyo Youth Cup, which officially kicks off today at the iconic Onikan Stadium.
The initiative is to inspire and empower local talent. This further hints at Adarabioyo’s growing connection with his Nigerian heritage.
Following the report of Adarabioyo’s presence in Lagos, Nigerian journalist Tobi Adepoju praised the player, writing on X:
“I love how Nigerian players are connecting with their roots. Chelsea defender, Tosin Adarabioyo is the latest player showing up in Lagos to connect with his origin.”
What Adarabioyo Said After Chelsea Won CWC
Following Chelsea’s historic Club World Cup win, Adarabioyo shared an emotional post on his official X account where he reflected on the team’s journey to the title:
“We believed from the start. Now, we’re champions of the world. Chelsea FC — we’ve won it all. This team showed what true togetherness looks like: talent, resilience, and unbreakable belief. A special moment for a special group. See you next season, Blues. UTC.”
Adarabioyo Breaks Silence on Nigeria National Team Speculation
While his return to Nigeria has reignited talks of a potential Super Eagles call-up, Adarabioyo had already addressed the speculation surrounding his international future.
In a recent interview with Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba, following Chelsea’s Europa Conference League triumph, the defender clarified misconceptions about his relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“Yeah, so both of those pieces of news are pretty false,” Adarabioyo said. “I’ve never turned down Nigeria, and I’ve never had any conversations with them to say that I will be going to Nigeria.
“At the point of last season, when there was a little bit of conversation, I told the club I just wanted to focus on club football in my last year at Fulham. I just wanted to have a solid season at Fulham.
“Now I’m at Chelsea in my first year, which I wanted to concentrate on again, and I think now is going to be the time that I need to make a decision.”
This has been welcomed by many Nigerian football fans who see the London-born defender as a valuable addition to the national team setup.