Joseph Yobo

Joseph Ikpo Yobo (born September 6, 1980 in Kano, Nigeria) is a Nigerian soccer player currently with Everton F.C] He joined Everton on loan from Olympique Marseille in July 2002, with a £1M fee required to register the player, becoming the first signing of new manager David Moyes. An option to make the move permanent was taken up and completed in 2003 after a dispute between Yobo and Marseille was settled, with Everton agreeing a fixed additional fee of £4M.

Joseph's "libero" style of play has led to many questioning his maturity and concentration, at least in the blue of Everton, but for the national team he has shown outstanding composure and excellent leadership, important skills he appears to be lacking at Everton. However, many blues fans acknowledge Yobo's effortless grace on the ball, capable passing and excellent tackling skills and great pace and acceleration, as well as effortless heading of the ball. He was often seen as an exciting player who was yet to live up to his potential and remove the errors from his game. However he has become one of the most consistent players in the Everton squad, and was one of only seven players in the entire league to play every minute of every game throughout the 2006-2007 Premier League season.

Yobo had previously played for Standard Liège of Belgium as well as a loan spell at CD Tenerife. He has represented Nigeria since 2001. He was on the Nigeria national football team roster at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and played all three matches. At the 2006 African Cup of Nations he assumed the captain's role during the absence of Jay-Jay Okocha in the tournament's early stages, and has now assumed the captain's role full-time.

In 2006 delay in signing a new contract with Everton lead to rumours of a move to Arsenal, but on July 22 Yobo committed himself to Goodison Park until 2010. As of April 15, 2007 Joseph Yobo is the record appearance holder for an overseas player at Everton. In 2007 Joseph Yobo set up the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, to help under-privileged children in Nigeria. As of July 18, 2007 he has handed out over 300 scholarship awards ranging from primary to university level.