Joseph Yobo to play in Nigerian league, NPFL to pay his salary as clubs hustle for his signature

Former Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo, who has played for Fenerbahce and Everton is set to play in the Nigeria Professional Football league for the remaining matches of the season, in what will be a major coup for the Nigeria league.

Joseph Yobo will see out his playing career in the Nigerian Professional Football League, League organisers, League Management Company (LMC) announced in a tweeton Tuesday.

In a new welcome arrangement set up by the LMC , retiring Nigerian internationals who have played abroad can come back to the Nigerian League and play for any club who meets up with their terms while the NPFL will also partly fund the player’s wages.

This move by the NFF, will in turn attract investors and fans to stadiums, as they want to catch a glimpse of their heores in action for their local clubs.

Former Nigeria midfielder Sani Kaita was the first high profile player to take part in the scheme. LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko told ESPN that Yobo’s experience will be vital to developing the league.

“To have someone like Yobo, with his achievements in the game and his profile, will no doubt be a boost to the league, and to the players he will help and we are proud to have him,” Shehu Dikko said.

League leaders Wikki Tourists, Ifeanyi Ubah FC powered by Billionaire, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, Kano Pillars and Akwa United are among the clubs jostling for the central defender, who has also played for Olympique Marseille and Norwich City.