Former Portsmouth and Everton forward Yakubu has exclusively told Sky Sports News that he is to retire from football.

The 35-year-old veteran striker, who also featured for Middlesbrough and Blackburn in a much-travelled career spanning 20 years, left League Two Coventry in April having made just three appearances for the Sky Blues.

Yakubu made 250 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 96 goals, and represented Nigeria at four Africa Cup of Nations and the 2010 World Cup.

He told Sky Sports News: "I would like to officially announce my retirement from professional football today.

"Firstly, I would like to thank God for the career I have had. I would like to thank the entire Nigerian Football Federation and my Nigerian national team-mates for all the memorable years I had playing for the Super Eagles.

"I would also like to thank all the football clubs I played for. The managers, all club staff, owners, fellow players and my dearest family and friends who immensely supported me throughout my career.

"When I started my career at Julius Berger in Nigeria all those years ago (1997) I could only have dreamt of the success that was to follow years after.

"Also playing in England especially helped me grow as a player and as a person so much that I am now settled here. I feel the time is right for me to now focus on the next chapter in my life."

Skysports