As the 2022/2023 English Premier League returns this weekend, fans of the club sides will be looking forward to see what the new faces in their teams will have to offer.

All the clubs used the off season to transact some transfer businesses by either bringing in new players or offloading those they deem surplus to requirements as they position to battle for the EPL title.

In the mix were a couple of African players who made the move to the league dubbed the most exciting in the world and as the season kicks off on Friday with Arsenal taking on London rivals, Crystal Palace, fans of the EPL on the continent would be looking forward to seeing what their stars would offer.

Afrocanewswatch brings you the African players who made the switch to the EPL.

Kalidou Koulibaly – Chelsea

The arrival of Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli is about the biggest African signing this season and with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leaving Chelsea, the giant Senegalese defender is expected to fill the void in the heart of the Blue’s defence.

The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner will team up with international teammate, Edouard Mendy and together, they hope to form a formidable backline for the Pensioners.

Taiwo Awoniyi – Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest must have played on a gamble when they forked out a club record £18.5 million on Nigerian striker, Taiwo Awoniyi to snap him from Union Berlin of Germany.

Awoniyi who was previously on the books of Liverpool was not given any chance to prove his worth as he was sent out on loan on more than four occasions until he left on a free transfer last summer and got the much deserved chance in Germany.

The big striker is now back in the EPL and much is expected of him as will lead the Forest attack in the new season.

After enjoyed a stellar season in the Bundesliga with 15 goals to show, Awoniyi should do enough to help the newly promoted Forest maintain its EPL status.

Joe Aribo – Southampton

Nigerian midfield maestro, Joe Aribo took many by surprise when he left Rangers of Scotland to Southampton.

However, football pundits see the move as an upgrade with the belief that he will develop better in the English Premier League.

Aribo also showed what he should be expected of him with a textbook wonder goal against Villarreal in a pre-season friendly game which has made watchers of the league sit up and take notice.

Aribo is no doubt a highly talented and technical player who will no doubt, add quality to the Southampton squad especially in the middle of the pack.

His eye for goal could make him one of the most effective midfielders outside the top six in the league this season.

Nayef Aguerd – West Ham

Moroccan international Nayef Aguerd’s £30 million move from Stade Rennais in the French Ligue 1 to West Ham underscores his rising profile as one of the continent’s finest defenders.

Though his start to life in the EPL will be delayed by an ankle injury he picked up in a pre-season friendly against Rangers of Scotland, but his return would add steel to the team hoping to battle the big boys for title.

Having proven himself in the Ligue 1 as one of the best center backs with his prowess in the air and bravery in going into tackles, Aguerd could be one of the best African signings in the the new season.

Boubacar Kamara – Aston Villa

Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa pulled off a major coup when signing Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer from Olympique de Marseille with the aim of turning the club into a Champions League team.

The midfield grafter is one of the most talented players on the continent and will definitely add a different dimension to the Villa midfield.

Speaking about the player, Gerrard said:

“Kamara’s going to give us style, he’s going to give us a passing range that I didn’t feel we had.”