Super Eagles Legend, Yakubu Aiyegbeni Retires From Football

 

Ex-Super Eagles star, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has retired from professional soccer on his 35th birthday.

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The former Portsmouth and Everton forward announced his immediate retirement from playing football on Wednesday.

“I would like to officially announce my retirement from professional football today,” Aiyegbeni told Sky Sports News.

Aiyebgbeni have capped for the Nigerian national team 44 times, scoring 15 goals. He also has four African Cup of Nations appearances for the Eagles and played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The Eagles Icon thanked NFF for their support. He said: “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.”

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Aiyegbeni, who also played for Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers, made 250 Premier League appearances and scored 96 goals in a career spanning 20 years and left League Two side, Coventry City, in April after only three appearances.

“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.” the striker said.

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