Yakubu has killer touch –Reading coach

Yakubu Aiyegbeni
| credits: File copy

Reading boss Steve Clarke has revealed why he signed a former Nigeria international Yakubu Aiyegbeni within the January transfer window. Clarke believes that his new signing is in “decent shape.”

The Royals sprung a surprise on transfer deadline day when they snapped up the 32-year-old former Everton and Portsmouth striker on a free transfer.

Having completed pre-season training with his previous club in Qatar, Yakubu could even be in contention for an immediate debut against Wolves on Saturday.

Clarke said, “He’s had a bit of football lately in the form of friendly matches.

“He’s come in and done some training with us and looks in decent shape. I don’t think it will take too long to get him up to speed and hopefully he can give us that little bit extra that we’re looking for.

“I’ve been looking at our games recently where we’ve had a lot of possession in forward areas and couldn’t find the killer touch. Until Monday, you’re searching the world markets for someone that can do that and then suddenly I got a call saying Yakubu was available.

“The most important thing for us is that we get him quickly integrated into the group and that he starts to make contributions to us as soon as possible.”

Yakubu joined the English team as a free agent having left Qatari side Al Rayyan.

‘The Yak’, as he is called, said after the signing, “The Yak arrive in Reading, I am ready to go and ready to give everything. Common the Yak is ready to go.”

He spent nine years in England between 2003 and 2012, starting off at Portsmouth. He also played for Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers before he left for Chinese team Guangzhou Evergrande in 2012. Yakubu has a reputable record as the highest ever scoring African in England with 138 goals from 346 appearances, 96 of which were scored in the English Premiership. The statistics puts him ahead of Ivory Coast and Africa great, Didier Drogba.

Yakubu scored three goals in eight appearances for Al Rayyan and joined fellow Nigerian, Hope Akpan, as Reading moves to beat relegation.

Meanwhile, Akpan has expressed delight at returning to action after about three months on the sidelines. The Super Eagles midfielder dislocated his shoulder while playing for Nigeria in the qualifiers to the Africa Nations Cup.

The Nigerian played for the Royals U21s in a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town.

Akpan told Reading’s website after the match, “I’m very happy to be back and playing in a competitive game. It felt very good.

“I’ve got a long way to go to get back to where I was before I got injured but I’m ready to work hard to build towards that peak. The extra minutes are all in the bank now and the shoulder feels fine and strong. It’s a bit stiff having just played but it feels alright.”