Yakubu Aiyegbeni, the former striker for the Super Eagles and Everton, recently reflected on his prolific career in the English Premier League, according to Soccernet.ng.
At 42 years old, Yakubu amassed an impressive tally of 95 goals across 252 Premier League matches, representing clubs such as Portsmouth, Everton, Middlesbrough, and Blackburn Rovers. His tenure in England concluded in 2012 when he transferred to China’s Guangzhou City.
His remarkable scoring ability earned him legendary status at four English clubs and positioned him as the fifth-highest African goal scorer in the history of the Premier League.
Yakubu Reflects on His Legacy
Having spent nearly ten years competing in England’s top flight, the former Maccabi Haifa forward considers it a privilege to be counted among the elite goal scorers in one of the world’s most competitive leagues.
“It’s incredible to be mentioned alongside players like Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Didier Drogba,” Yakubu shared during an interview with Sky Sports.
“Scoring in such a prestigious league is a dream come true. To be ranked in the top five African scorers and hold the record as the highest Nigerian goal scorer is a tremendous honor. Records are made to be surpassed, but being part of that elite group is something I cherish deeply.”
“Finding the back of the net in the Premier League is no easy feat; many players struggle because the competition is fierce and the style of play demanding,” he explained.
“I’m proud of my 95 goals, even though I narrowly missed the 100-goal milestone due to an eleven-month injury setback. Had I stayed fit, I believe I could have added at least five more goals.”
“I’m not driven by greed, but I’m genuinely honored to have reached such a milestone in a league as challenging as this one. Coming from Benin City and achieving this is something I’m truly thankful for.”
Yakubu’s standing as the highest-scoring Nigerian in the Premier League remains intact for now. The closest contender, Kelechi Iheanacho, has netted 42 goals in the English top division, still far from Yakubu’s record.