Former Super Eagles striker, Yakubu Aiyegbemi, has announced his decision to totally retire from playing football at the age of 35.
Born November 22, 1982, the veteran striker announced his decision to hang his boots on his 35th birthday.
Yakubu’s football career, spanning 20-years, saw him make 250 Premier League appearances for clubs such as Everton and Portsmouth, scoring 96 goals in the process.
He has represented the Nigerian Super Eagles at four Africa Cup of Nations and also featured at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
“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 told Skysports.
The former Portsmouth and Everton star boasts of 21 goals from 57 international games for Nigeria and featured in the 2010 Fifa World Cup – where he notably missed an open goal from three metres against South Korea.
source:goal.com
