Everton winger Alex Iwobi has confirmed that he is related by blood to the iconic former Super Eagles midfielder Austin Jay-Jay Okocha.

The Nigeria international was full of praise for his uncle, labeling him a legend in his family, and revealed that he's always in touch with the former PSG, Fenerbahce and Bolton Wanderers star.

Iwobi comes from a footballing family, with his two uncles - Emmanuel and Austin Okocha - representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations before hanging up their boots, while his father Chuka Iwobi turned out for NITEL Vasco Da Gama.

Asked if it's true he is related to Okocha, Iwobi said in a recent web chat with Everton Official Members and competition winners : "It's actually very true, that's my mom's younger brother, that's why I got the surname Okocha because he's related to my mom, we are all related.

"He's a big legend in our family, he still chats to me here and there, he's always messaging me on WhatsApp."

Iwobi was spotted training with his Everton teammates before their Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace on Monday evening.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel