Nigeria legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni has quit Blackburn Rovers in favor of Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F, The Sun reports.
The Yak has become the third big-name striker to make the move to China, with Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba paving the lucrative road for the 29-year-old.
“There were many clubs interested according to the media, but the only people who made direct contact have been Guangzhou R&F,” said Yakubu.
Now then, why did the Yak decide to make the Chinese Super League switch?
“Many will ask why China? The truth is there is not much to prove after scoring almost a century of goals in the Premier League — considered as one of the best in the world,” revealed the former Gateway Football Club starlet.
Despite playing for The Riversiders in 2011-12, Yakubu still managed to net 17 league goals in 30 appearances. In fact, only Robin van Persie (30), Wayne Rooney (27) and Sergio “Kun” Agüero (23) scored more league goals than the Yak last season.
Furthermore, the Nigerian took a moment to thank Blackburn Rovers Football and their fans for their support last season.
“I thank Blackburn Rovers, the fans and fellow players for making my one season there seem like a decade,” added the striker.
“I appreciate their support and I hope the club will come back again into the top flight as soon as possible.”
However, with that said, don’t expect Blackburn to make a quickfire return to England’s top flight.
Not only have the Blue and Whites lost Yakubu, who accounted for over 35% of their league goals last season, but they are also set to lose 22-year-old star Junior Hoilett.
As of 1 July, Hoilett will no longer be under contract at Blackburn.
The pacy winger has been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham, Sunderland, Bayern Munich and most notably German Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach, according to the Daily Mail.
Rovers’ decision not to sell Hoilett in the January transfer window has turned out to be an almighty howler, with the club likely to get less than £1 million in compensation for the attacker.
The fact that the 22-year-old is being linked with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich certainly suggests that he’s worth a whole lot more than £1 million.
He spent the 2008-09 season on loan at German 2. Bundesliga side St Pauli. At St Pauli, the Canadian-born winger tallied six goals and two assists in 27 appearances.
Hoilett has made 92 appearances for Blackburn in all competitions, tallying 14 goals and eight assists.
All things considered , don’t expect Rovers to make a quickfire return to England’s top flight.
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