Yakubu Aiyegbeni,(The Yak)is a retired Nigerian footballer who played as a striker. He began his career with Julius Berger FC in Nigeria before moving to Israeli club Hapoel Kfar Saba.
After stellar performances in Israel,he attracted attention, leading to his move to Europe to play for Maccabi Haifa in 2003.
His journey across continents was marked by impressive goal tallies. It began in Israel with Maccabi Haifa, where his Champions League performances earned him a loan move to Portsmouth in England.
The loan turned permanent after Portsmouth secured Premier League promotion, and Yakubu became a key striker.
He continued his goal-scoring form at Middlesbrough and later at Everton, solidifying his place as a Premier League force.
Despite a loan spell at Leicester City, Everton remained his home for several seasons. A move to Blackburn Rovers followed, adding another Premier League club to his resume.
Known for his strength and finishing, he became the fourth-highest African goalscorer in Premier League history with 96 goals.
Yakubu’s career extended beyond England, with stints in China with Guangzhou City FC and Turkey with Kayserispor. Though his later years saw less playing time, his overall club career stands out for his consistent goal threat and impact across various teams.
After retiring from professional football, Yakubu Aiyegbeni remains a revered figure in Nigerian and African football history. His goal-scoring records and impact on the field have left a lasting legacy. He continues to inspire upcoming talents and is involved in various philanthropic endeavours.
