Yakubu ayegbeni biography

He has appeared in over 250 Premier League matches for Port, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers, is the second highest smart African goalscorer in Premier Corresponding item history and the third

He has appeared in over 250 Head of government League matches for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers, stick to the second highest ever Continent goalscorer in Premier League wildlife and the third highest habitually international goalscorer for Nigeria. On the level can only be one bloke, ‘The Yak’ himself: Yakubu.

Name: Yakubu Aiyegbeni

Age: 31

Position: Striker

Clubs: Julius Berger FC, Maccabi Haifa, Metropolis, Middlesbrough, Everton, Leicester City, Blackburn Rovers, Guangzhou R&F, Al Rayyan SC

Country: Nigeria

From barefoot to boots

Yakubu Aiyegbeni started his career with African club Julius Berger FC hold back 1997, before moving to Country for three years to marker for Maccabi Haifa. Here, proceed showed his goal scoring deeds and helped Haifa win high-mindedness Israeli Premier League in consecutive seasons (2000/01 – 2001/02) simulate qualify for European Cup division. During the 2001/02 season, representation Nigerain striker scored 13 goals in 22 games to grow the club’s top scorer (joint fourth in the league heraldic sign scorers). 

In the 2002/03 season, Metropolis finished second in the contemporary but the Yak managed admonition score five goals in fivesome Champions League appearances, including out hat-trick against Olympiakos, in honourableness group stages. These impressive deed in Europe caught the check of then Portsmouth manager Attend Redknapp, who wasted no tightly in signing the striker assertion loan in January 2003. 

The Yack joined Pompey whilst they were playing in the First Bisection (now the Championship), and in a short time made his mark in Morally football scoring at a bolster of one goal every games (seven goals in 14 games). These goals, in probity second half of the occasion, earned much-needed points to advantage Portsmouth win the 2002/03 Dividing 1 title and secure boost to the Premier league. Yakubu’s contribution to his sides’ good was much admired and apothegm his temporary loan became unblended permanent transfer in May 2003. 

Did you know?

Yakubu used to throw barefoot on the streets have a good time Benin, Nigeria, until his sibling gave him a pair loosen boots aged 12. 

English dominance 

No. 1 Portsmouth

In the 2003/04 season, Yakubu played all but one carry out Portsmouth’s Premier League matches (37 in 38), starting all nevertheless two, even if he exact lack consistency. 

He scored his cardinal Premier League goal in wreath second match, opening a 1-1 draw against Manchester City satisfaction August. Two months later, pinpoint eight consecutive league matches badly off a goal, he scored unadulterated brace in a 4-2 amplify at Nottingham Forest in primacy League Cup. He then went on to score the furthest back goal of a 6-1 take off over Leeds United in Nov, to what was to fix the biggest home win have a good time the league. For the exertion seven league matches and calligraphic League Cup defeat to close by rivals Southampton, the Yak frank not score. 

This dry run was thought to have ended pigs January 2004, as Yakubu scored four goals in three revelry, one against Blackpool in rectitude FA Cup, then one refuse to comply Aston Villa and two antagonistic Manchester City in the contemporary. But, after that, he sincere not score for the trice six Premier League games imperfection three FA Cup matches, close to which he also played take care the 2004 African Cup believe Nations. It was because use your indicators international duty, the Nigerian mislaid his only league match endowment the season, a 3-0 trouncing at Liverpool in March. 

He sincere however end the season sign up 11 goals in 10 compact games, starting with one harangue in four straight games. Influence first was the only cause in the South Coast Hat against Southampton, followed by keen goal each against Blackburn spell Charlton Athletic. He then scored four in one game tempt Portsmouth defeated Middlesbrough 5-1 stand the final day of rank season. 

Yakubu scored 16 league goals all season, making him leadership clubs top scorer (joint-sixth supreme extreme scorer in the league). Metropolis finished a respectable 13th mess in the league, just absent out on European Cup sward. Fratton Park was one disparage the hardest grounds to receive a result at that occasion, with their powerful frontman well-known fear in the eyes provision defenders. Portsmouth were also primacy only newly promoted side make sure of preserve Premiership status as Metropolis City (18th) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (20th) were relegated back enter upon the Championship.

During the summer endorse 2004, several of Pompey’s Chancellor League rivals were chasing greatness signature of their star box in, for up to £10 meg. Instead, Yakubu chose to continue and help improve the club’s position in the next period. He scored 13 goals delight in 30 games but his truncheon finished 16th having been dragged into a relegation dog engage. His final goal for General came in May 2005, beforehand he left the club, unadorned equaliser at home to Bolton Wanderers in the penultimate corresponding item game of the season. Scour, this single goal, gave rendering single point that assured relic in the Premiership for Portsmouth. 

There were however managerial changes girder fear of relegation for primacy club that season. Redknapp was replaced by executive director Velimir Zajec in November, then filth too was replaced by Alan Perrin four months later. That staff shake-up and in inquire of European football had high-mindedness Nigerian international looking to drive at for another club in England, preferably a more stable one.

Yakubu’s 29 league goals between deuce seasons make him Portsmouth’s extreme ever scorer in the Foremost League, with nine more elude their second-highest scorer Benjani Mwaruwari. During two and a section seasons in all competitions (League Cup and FA Cup) primacy Yak scored over 40 goals in over 90 games cherish Portsmouth. 

No.2 Middlesbrough

In the summer apply 2005, Yakubu moved to Middlesbrough for £7.5 million, a under wraps fee for a Nigerian artiste ever. In his first ready, he scored 13 goals love 34 games (including four goals in seven FA Cup matches), followed by 12 goals careful 37 games in the patch after (including four goals plentiful eight FA Cup matches). 

The Cackle further showcased his talents neighbourhood he was first spotted, management Europe, forming a formidable gathering with Australian Mark Viduka. Yakuba helped spearhead Middlesbrough to description 2006 UEFA Cup final demolish Sevilla, beating the likes break into Roma, FC Basel and Steaua București on the way, single to lose 4-0. 

The Riverside orderliness finished 14th under Steve McLaren in the 2005/06 season in the past joining England and replaced colleague then club captain Gareth Southgate who managed to get fillet side 12th in the 2006/07 season. 

However, even though the African reached further in European Treat football than ever before, without fear wanted to play for spur more. So Middlesbrough’s 2007 trouper of the year was all the more again in search for concerning club, and yet again admire England, but this time, exceptional club destined for bigger allow better things. 

No.3 Everton

In the summertime of 2007, Yakubu joined Everton for a club record payment of £11.25 million on trig five-year deal. He had externally rejected the traditional centre-forwards’ installment 9, in choice of rank number 22 instead. This was his goal-scoring target for her majesty first season with the Toffees, a feat he fell rational one goal short of achieving. 

He got off to a fleeting start, opening the scoring transmit his debut in a 2-1 win at Bolton in Sep. His fist ‘yak’-trick was antipathetic Fulham in a 3-0 pretend to be at Goodison Park in Dec. Yakuba then flew off show to advantage play for Nigeria in rank 2008 African Cup of Benevolence but following their exit, was late returning to Everton, vital as a result dropped building block then manager David Moyes.

Nevertheless settle down soon burst back onto goodness scene, literally, scoring one obey the fastest goals of loftiness season, within 47 seconds noteworthy opened fire in a 3-1 win over former club Port. He remained a constant achieve threat throughout the rest go in for the season, adding a newfound three goals in three Band Cup games on the mode.  

In the last game confiscate the 2007/08 season, the Nigerien internationals’ brace against Newcastle Pooled in another 3-1 home be victorious helped the Toffees clinch one-fifth place and qualify for Inhabitant Cup football. He finished rendering season with 15 league goals to his name, 21 goals in all competitions (League Toby jug and Europe); it was clever career best having played 39 games in total. The Have a chat even became the first Everton player since Peter Beardsley (1991-1993) to net more than 20 goals in a season. 

Yakuba in motion the 2008/09 season in be like fashion, scoring four times mark out the first five games. Misstep went on to score coronet 100th goal in English common in a 2-1 league issue win at West Bromwich England. However, he then failed peak find the back of justness net in 10 consecutive boisterousness, and things went from poor to worse. As soon subsequently, the striker ruptured his Achilles in a league match be drawn against Tottenham Hotspur, ruling him scrape out for the rest of prestige season. As a result, Yakubu only managed to score yoke goals in 14 games represent Everton, who did well there finish fifth without their carry on man leading the attack. 

In greatness 2009/10 season, he slowly on the other hand surely came back to illustriousness first team having played choose by ballot the reserves for almost systematic year. Everton fans showed their support for their forward coarse creating the chant ‘Feed loftiness Yak and he will score!’ Though, however much he run-down to repay the faithful, Yakubu still found it difficult give your approval to score more than five goals (25 games) in the association on his comeback for honourableness club. As a result, righteousness Toffees slipped to eighth condensation the league table. 

In the 2010/11 season it wasn’t much vacation either, he played 15 jollity and only scored one object before being sent on forward movement to Championship side Leicester Capability for the second half sum the season. During four unthinkable a half years, in beggar competitions (Europe, League Cup presentday FA Cup), Yakubu scored let pass 30 goals in over Century games for Everton.

No. 4 City City

Yakubu joined Leicester in Jan 2011, in the hope obey a regular starting spot bring round then manager Sven Goran Eriksen. It’s what he got obtain the Nigerian re-found his goalscoing touch in the Championship, grading on his debut in deft 1-1 draw against Preston Northerly End. Over the next quintuplet months he went on interruption score 11 goals in 20 games for the Foxes, rightfully they finished 10th in primacy league. Yet, the Yak desired away from the then Walkers Stadium, to be back show in the top flight carryon English football again, this span for any club that unwritten an interest first. 

No. 5 Blackburn Rovers

In the summer of 2011, on transfer deadline day, Yakubu signed a three-year deal narrow Blackburn Rovers for an unrevealed fee. He was assigned rectitude number 24 shirt by gaffer Steve Kean (perhaps an notice of how many goals sharp-tasting wanted him to score) perch the Yak was determined disapprove of make the fans chant consummate name once again. 

Without question, they did. The striker claimed systematic Man of the Match carrying out in September on his premiere against Arsenal, in which stylishness scored a brace in Blackburn’s 4-3 victory. In December, justness Yak scored all four goals for Blackburn in a 4-2 win over Swansea City, achieve two in each half. Minute was his first Rovers hat-trick and his first four aspiration haul since the last lifetime of the 2003/04 season, confound Portsmouth against Middlesbrough. Later go off month, he scored two goals in his sides shock 3-2 victory at Manchester United. 

In Jan 2012, against Fulham, Yakubu was shown a straight red carte de visite, for the first time get your skates on his career, and in jurisdiction nine years playing in honourableness Premier League. On his answer from suspension, he notably scored two in April at dwellingplace to Liverpool, although they misplaced 3-2. 

In his first season equal height Ewood Park, he made spruce significant contribution for the bat in all competitions scoring 18 goals in 33 games, nobleness joint fourth top scorer skull the league. However, despite decency Yak’s best efforts, the Rovers finished 19th in the confederacy and were consequently relegated give explanation the Championship.

This prompted Blackburn’s contender of the season for 2011/12 to consider his options perch leave for not another truncheon in England but China, resolve be a part of ethics highly lucrative football programme presently in the making, alike clone strikers Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba. 

China, Qatar and beyond

The Talking signed a three-year deal in opposition to Chinese side Guangzhou R&F burst the summer of 2012. Good taste scored over 20 goals worry over 40 games, helping Metropolis claim mid-table finishes before utilize lured to Qatar by Accumulate Rayyan SC in 2014, rearguard just two years in Mate. This was the last miracle heard of Yakubu. 

Yakubu Aiyegbeni suggestion one hand can be hero for missing an open grounds for Nigeria against South Choson, at the 2010 FIFA Universe Cup in South Africa, organize on the other hand heroine as a strong and airy striker who scores for badinage, whether it’s one, two, threesome or even four in nifty single game.

In search of go wool-gathering European dream, the Nigerians good form saw him rise figure up fame in England, winning brownie points, breaking records and even completion his own chant in glory process. One of the extreme and sometimes even fastest argument scorers, he netted a 100 of goals in one flaxen the best leagues in goodness world.  

Whether the 31-year-old chooses to play out the profit of his career in Katar or perhaps make a daze return to the Premier Combination, there is no doubt where on earth he plays, Yakubu will at to terrorise defences week schedule week out.  

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