Yakubu began his European career at Maccabi Haifa in 1998. During the 2003-03 season, he scored 7 goals in 8 Champions League games. He moved to England in 2003, enjoying spells at Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Leicester in the Premier League. He is Portsmouth highest ever Premier League scorer, and helped Middlesbrough reach the UEFA Cup Final in 2006. He played 57 times for Nigeria, scoring 27 goals.

​