Aiyegbeni Yakubu

Aiyegbeni Yakubu (born November 22, 1982 in Benin City, Nigeria) is a Nigerian football (soccer) player, who currently plays for Middlesbrough F.C. He weighs 81 kg and is 1.85 meters in height.

Related Topics:
November 22 - 1982 - Benin City - Nigeria - Football (soccer) - Middlesbrough F.C. - Kg - Meters

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A striker, Yakubu started his career at Israeli team Maccabi Haifa F.C., where he won two championships and had a phenomenal scoring record both in the domestic and international competitions - breaking several club records. After scoring 7 goals in 8 European Cup appearances (including a hat-trick against Olympiakos) in the 2002/03 season UEFA Champions League, Yakubu moved to English club Portsmouth F.C. in January 2003.

Related Topics:
Striker - Israel - Maccabi Haifa F.C. - Hat-trick - UEFA Champions League - Portsmouth F.C. - January - 2003

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His goals helped fire Portsmouth to the Division One (now Football League Championship) title, scoring at a rate of one goal every two games.

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During the club's debut Premiership season, during which they finished 13th, he scored 16 times in 35 starts, a massive return for a striker at a small club. During the summer of 2004 several other Premiership teams were interested in purchasing Yakubu for up to £10 million, but he chose to stay and help consolidate the club's Premiership position.

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He has been capped several times for Nigeria, and is a regular in the national team.

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After the 2004-05 season, he transferred from Pompey to Boro for a £7 million fee.

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