Yakubu (footballer) Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Goals, Clubs, Parents

Yakubu Ayegbeni, popularly known as Yakubu or “The Yak,” stands among Nigeria’s most prolific strikers, celebrated for his clinical finishing and lasting impact with the Super Eagles.

He remains the fourth-highest scorer with 21 goals across four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Profile

• Full Name: Yakubu Ayegbeni
• Stage Name: Yakubu
• Born: 22, November 1982
• Age: 42 years old
• Birthplace: Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
• Nationality: Nigerian
• Occupation: Former Professional Footballer, and Football Agent
• Height: 1.83m
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Eshibor Ayegbeni
• Spouse: Yvonne Lameen Ikhana (m. 2008)
• Children: 2
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $8 million

Early Life and Education

Yakubu Ayegbeni was born on November 22, 1982, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

His parents’ names remain undisclosed in public records.

He grew up with at least one brother, Eshibor Ayegbeni, who supported his early football dreams by buying him a pair of boots at age 12, allowing him to transition from barefoot street games in Benin City to organized play.

Details of his formal education are not publicly documented, as he prioritized his burgeoning athletic career over higher studies, focusing on self-developed skills through local leagues rather than academic pursuits.

He is of Nigerian ethnicity, and his religious affiliation remains unknown.

Career

Yakubu Ayegbeni began his professional journey as a teenager with Julius Berger FC in Lagos, Nigeria’s Premier League, where he honed his striker instincts in 1997 before a loan to Portuguese side Gil Vicente in 1998 exposed him to European football.

His breakthrough came that year when Israeli club Maccabi Haifa signed him for $300,000, leading to two Israeli Premier League titles in 1999–2000 and 2000–01, plus standout performances in the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League with seven goals that caught English scouts’ eyes.

Unable to secure a work permit for Derby County initially, he joined Portsmouth on loan in January 2003, scoring seven goals in 14 matches to help secure the Football League First Division title and earning a permanent transfer, marking his entry into English football through raw talent and relentless finishing amid the physical demands of the lower tiers.

Ayegbeni’s Premier League career flourished after Portsmouth’s promotion in 2003, where he netted 28 goals over two seasons, including a debut brace against Manchester City, before a £7.5 million move to Middlesbrough in 2005 brought 33 goals in 82 appearances and a UEFA Cup final run in 2006.

He peaked at Everton from 2007 to 2012, scoring 52 league goals—his most prolific spell—with highlights like 18 goals in 2008–09 and a dramatic double against Newcastle to clinch UEFA Cup qualification, while earning Nigeria’s African Footballer of the Year nod in 2006.

Transitions to Blackburn Rovers in 2012 (17 goals in his debut season) and later spells in China with Guangzhou R&F and Turkey’s Kayserispor showcased his adaptability, though injuries and form dips led to a brief, unimpactful stint at Reading in 2014–15 before joining Leicester City and lower-tier clubs like Coventry City, blending club success with international duties that included bronze at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ayegbeni’s influence lingers through his 215 career goals across 535 European matches and role as a football agent, guiding young talents while his Super Eagles contributions—scoring in World Cup qualifiers and tournaments—cement a legacy of clinical striking that inspired Nigerian forwards, despite the lingering shadow of his 2010 World Cup miss against South Korea.

His post-retirement work in agency builds on a career defined by resilience, from Nigerian streets to Premier League glory.

Social Media

Yakubu Ayegbeni does not have a verified social media account

Personal Life

Yakubu Ayegbeni married Yvonne Lameen Ikhana in 2008; she is the daughter of former Nigerian footballer and coach Kadiri Ikhana and founded the fashion brand Perfecto catering to women of color.

The couple has two daughters, Kayla and Katriel, whom Yakubu often shares heartwarming moments with on social media, celebrating milestones like birthdays and emphasizing his role as a devoted father.

No other romantic partners or children are publicly known, and he maintains a private family life rooted in his Benin City origins.

Net Worth

Yakubu Ayegbeni holds an estimated net worth of $8 million.

His wealth primarily stems from high-profile transfer fees and salaries during his Premier League peak, including £11.25 million from Everton to Blackburn and earnings from stints in China and Turkey, alongside endorsement deals and bonuses from club successes like Portsmouth’s promotion and Maccabi Haifa titles.