Portsmouth FC hit the jackpot with £4m transfer deal – He’s a Fratton Park hero.

The 2002/03 season marked Portsmouth’s 11th consecutive season in the second tier, and fans were growing increasingly frustrated as their team languished at the bottom of the division.

Harry Redknapp hoped that in his first full year in charge of Pompey, he could help stabilise the club and eventually push them towards promotion.

What followed was a season that few at Fratton Park will ever forget, with the South Coast side leading the way for the most part before eventually winning the title with games in hand.

The signing of one forward was a pivotal decision for Portsmouth, shaping the club’s future over the next decade.

Yakubu had an incredible spell on loan at Pompey.

With Pompey having a strong first half of the season, owner Milan Mandaric was eager to strengthen his team and ensure that it was involved in the promotion race at the end of the season.

In January 2004, Hampshire signed Yakubu on loan from Maccabi Haifa. He quickly made an impact, scoring three goals in his first three matches, including two against Derby County.

Despite only playing 14 First Division matches for Portsmouth, he was a formidable opponent for opposing defenders and scored seven goals.

Pompey won the title and secured their place in the Premier League for the 2004/05 season, and fans hoped to see their powerful loanee return on a more permanent basis after his brief loan spell.

Redknapp was also interested in Yakubu, whom Portsmouth signed for £4 million that summer to prepare for life in the Premier League.

 

Yakubu became a hero at Fratton Park during his two years as a permanent player.

In a new league, it was easy to question whether Pompey had made the right decision by signing a striker with little experience in England.

However, he showed no nerves and proved his worth right away, scoring in only his second Premier League game as his team made a strong start to life in the top flight, going undefeated in their first five games.

Yakubu’s form improved as he scored 16 goals in 37 matches, helping Portsmouth finish 13th and proving their worth in the division.

2005/06 proved to be a more difficult season for both the player and his team, but it did not prevent the former Nigeria international from reaching double figures in the Premier League once more, scoring 12 goals in 30 matches as Pompey adjusted to life without Redknapp.

Yakubu joined Middlesbrough in 2006 and left for Portsmouth for £7.5 million, resulting in a profit for the club after two-and-a-half years.