Soccer
Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Copyright: ImagoxAndyxRowland
Former Super Eagles and Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has recalled his time with the Merseysiders and why he loves the club so much, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 43-year-old scored 33 goals and provided 12 assists in 107 games for Everton across four seasons, before joining Blackburn Rovers in 2011.
He was recently seen close to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as fans cheered ‘Feed the Yak and he’ll score’ in Everton’s 3-0 win over Chelsea.
The Yak is back on Merseyside. pic.twitter.com/I7EQXkKEoK
— Everton (@Everton) March 21, 2026
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The Nigerian forward holds a rare record, one of just five players in the English Premier League. Yakubu scored a hat-trick for three clubs – Portsmouth, Everton and Blackburn Rovers.
Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City), Kevin Campbell (Arsenal, Everton, Nottingham Forest), Les Ferdinand (Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur), and Teddy Sheringham (Manchester United, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur) are the other players who have scored a trio for three different clubs.
In a recent interview with Everton’s official website, Yak revealed that the love of the club’s fans when he returned to Merseyside a few weeks earlier meant the world to him.
“The welcome from the fans meant so much to me. I was with my daughter, and for her to see the fans and see that they still love me is something I will never forget.
“It’s so lovely to see the people remember the good things I did for the Club.
“Signing for Everton was a great moment,” he added. “I fell in love from day one.
“It’s a special club. We call it the ‘People’s Club’. The fans are so friendly. The way they welcomed me was so special.
“Even now, I still support them. I just love the place. Goodison Park back then – we made memories.
“The Club is always special to me. I think I played my best football here.
“Coming all the way from Boro, scoring goals and playing in Europe – it was a great atmosphere, and they’re great memories,” the 57-cap retired Super Eagles forward concluded.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni is 4th on Nigeria’s all-time goalscorers list (21 goals), two behind Segun Odegbami, while Victor Osimhen is second and in hot pursuit of Rashidi Yekini’s 37-goal record.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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