He was named the African Footballer of the Year. After the Olympics it was discovered that Kanu had a serious heart defect and he had to undergo surgery to replace an aortic valve. After a year off he returned to soccer. He played for Arsenal from 1999 to 2004 and was signed for about $4.15 million pounds. In 1999 he was once again named African Footballer of the Year. Kanu played for West Bromwich Albion from 2004 to 2006 and then finished his career with Portsmouth from 2006 to 2012. In 1993 he led Nigeria to win the FIFA U-17 tournament in Japan.