Joseph Yobo
Nationality :
Nigeria
Squad No :
4
Position :
Defender
Birth Date :
Sep 6, 1980
Birthplace :
Kano
Height :
1.85m
Weight :
83 kg
Joseph joined the Blues, declining offers from Arsenal and Juventus, to become David Moyes' first signing in the summer of 2002.
The Nigerian international played in the Super Eagles' three matches in Japan and South Korea and even provided the assist for his side's only goal of the tournament.
After passing a medical, Joseph signed a 12-month contract with the Blues, with an option for a further four years, which was taken up by Moyes in November 2002.
However, it took until May 2003 to make the deal permanent following a dispute between Yobo and his former club, Marseille.
Yobo's pace and versatility (he can play at right back and in central defence as well as midfield) was also a factor in his switch from the French giants as the Blues boss sought to bring the best young talent to Goodison.
His composure both on the ball and when under pressure belied his tender years. Good in the air, strong in the tackle and difficult to hassle off the ball, the defender also possesses tremendous vision - attributes which helped him earn Everton's Young Player of the Year Award for the 2003/4 season.
He was one of the most consistent performers early on in the 2005/6 campaign, before going on African Nations duty with Nigeria. He found things more difficult on his return but managed to recapture his place and continue his assured yet assertive style of defending.
He signed a long-term five-year contract in the summer of 2006 and went on to play every second of every Premier League game during the 06/07 season, matching a record last achieved 20 years earlier by Kevin Ratcliffe.
Yobo wouldn't achieve such a feat in 2007/08 with the defender missing the trip to Reading in August through injury.
Nevertheless, he was a vital part in the Blues defence throughout the campaign, and notched his only goal of the campaign in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in April.
Yobo endured a tortuous summer in 2008 when his brother was kidnapped in Nigeria. Thankfully the saga was safely concluded and Joseph could concentrate on football. He was back on top form in the centre of defence before a hamstring injury struck in December.
He was back in time to deputise for the injured Phil Jagielka at the end of the season, playing in the FA Cup final just days after agreeing a new contract to 2014.
Yobo formed a partnership with new man Sylvain Distin in 2009/10 but was then hit with a hamstring problem before heading off to the African Nations Cup.
After helping Nigeria to third place in the tournament in Angola, Yobo returned to Goodison and featured in both legs of Everton's Europa League exit to Sporting Lisbon in February.
Yobo played four of the last eight Blues domestic fixtures including the away wins at Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers.
He then headed for the World Cup, captaining Nigerian in their campaign which ended at the group stage.
On 1 September 2010, he moved to Fenerbahce on a season-long loan deal which included a possible permanent deal the following summer.
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