Reading boss has no doubts about Yakubu impact

The signing of Yakubu has raised more than a few eyebrows on deadline day, but Steve Clarke is confident the striker can deliver for Reading.

The 32-year-old has been a regular scorer of goals during his time in England, having played for Portsmouth, Everton, Middlesbrough, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers. Indeed, his 96 Premier League goals means the only African player to score more than him is Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, who himself returned to this country ahead of the current season.

Yakubu left Lancashire in the summer of 2012 when he joined Chinese side Guangzhou R&F, for whom he scored 25 goals in 45 league matches before heading to Qatar and Al Rayyan last year. The former Nigeria international, who scored 21 goals in 57 appearances for his country, is now back in England with Reading, and Clarke is confident the veteran forward can deliver.

“An experienced goalscorer, Yakubu brings a fantastic scoring record to this club and his addition will complement the strikers we’ve already got and help us to improve as a team in the latter stages of the season,” said the Royals boss. “I know all about him as a player. He is a no-risk signing for us and I look forward to him scoring goals for Reading Football Club.”

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