– Super Eagles striker Yabuku Aiyegbeni has announced his retirement from football
– The talented player also known as ‘The Yak’ made the announcement today his 35th birthday
– Aiyegbeni in the course of his career made 250 appearances in the English Premier League
– He played with English sides Everton FC, Middlesborough FC, Portsmouth FC, and Blackburn, and ended his career with Coventry where he made only three appearances
– He scored 21 goals in 57 appearances for the Super Eagles and is the country’s third highest goalscorer.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni has announced his retirement from football on his 35th birthday.
The celebrated member of the Super Eagles and former Everton FC striker made the announcement on Wednesday.
Aiyegbeni made 250 appearances in the English Premier League, playing for Everton FC, Middlesborough FC, Portsmouth FC, and Blackburn.
The striker left League Two side, Coventry City, in April after only three appearances.
He made four African Cup of Nations appearances for Nigeria and also played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Announcing his retirement Aiyegbeni said:
“I would like to officially announce my retirement from professional football today.
“Firstly, I would like to thank God for the career I have had. I would like to thank the entire Nigerian Football Federation and my Nigerian national team-mates for all the memorable years I had playing for the Super Eagles.
“I would also like to thank all the football clubs I played for. The managers, all club staff, owners, fellow players and my dearest family and friends who immensely supported me throughout my career.
“When I started my career at Julius Berger in Nigeria all those years ago (1997) I could only have dreamt of the success that was to follow years after.
“Also playing in England especially helped me grow as a player and as a person so much that I am now settled here. I feel the time is right for me to now focus on the next chapter in my life.”
Yakubu scored 21 goals in 57 appearances for the Super Eagles. He is the country’s third highest goalscorer.
MDB wished him well in all his future endeavours.
