Yakubu on loan to Vitesse
13 July: Abubakari Yakubu has been loaned out to Vitesse
with immediate effect. Coach Koeman stated earlier this month
that there was no place for the 22-year old Ghanese
midfielder in the selection anymore - and that a loan
was the best option. Koeman: "Yakubu has not played enough
minutes for Ajax in the past season. We think it is better for
his development to play regularly on the highest level for a
year."
Abubukari Yakubu, in action
against NAC Breda. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
Last week Yakubu was absent at Ajax's first training and
Koeman remarkably stated that no one knew where he was. He
turned out to be in Ghana, reportedly in bed with
the flu. This weekend he returned to Amsterdam.
Moments later the deal with Vitesse was settled and on Monday
he wore the yellow-and-black of Vitesse at their first
training session of the new season. Yakubu only watched from
the sideline, as his illness kept him from
participating.
Having been scouted by Ajax in Ghana, Yakubu joined Ajax-1 in
the disastrous centennial season of 1999-2000. He made his
first team début after coach Jan Wouters was
dismissed and Hans Westerhof had taken over for the remainder
of the season. On 19 April 2000 in the away game against FC Den
Bosch (1-1) Yakubu played his first match - the same match in
which 17 year-old Rafaël Van der Vaart made his
début.
Yakubu's best season came two years later
(2001-2002), as he appeared in 21 Eredivisie matches and
won the 'double' with Ajax. Last season he won the national
title again, but only played eleven matches. In total Yakubu
played 65 league matches for Ajax.
On Vitesse's official website Yakubu reports that he is happy
that will now get the chance to play again: "Koeman and
Van Gaal told me that the upcoming season would be difficult
for me. But I want to play, so I was glad that Vitesse showed
some interest in me. After that I spoke with Matthew Amoah,
whom I knew from years ago. I'm happy that I can play here for
a year." (BV)
Sources: Ajax.nl, Vitesse.nl
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