Atanda Ayila Yussuf (born 4 November 1984) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a central defender or defensive midfielder. A former Nigerian youth international player, Yussuf moved to Ukrainian Premier League Dynamo Kyiv from Nigerian side Union Bank in 2003. Despite injuries, Yussuf became a regular for both Dynamo Kyiv and the Nigeria national team. He joined Metalist Kharkiv on loan in 2014.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Atanda Ayila Yussuf | ||
| Date of birth | 4 November 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2002–2003 | Julius Berger | ||
| Enyimba | |||
| Union Bank | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2002–2003 | Union Bank | 43 | (4) |
| 2003–2014 | Dynamo Kyiv | 120 | (10) |
| 2003 | → Dynamo-2 Kyiv | 10 | (0) |
| 2013 | → Orduspor (loan) | 8 | (1) |
| 2013 | → Dynamo-2 Kyiv | 8 | (2) |
| 2014 | → Metalist Kharkiv (loan) | 5 | (1) |
| Total | 194 | (18) | |
| International career | |||
| 2005–2011 | Nigeria | 31 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
editEarly career
editAt 16 years of age, Yussuf signed his first professional contract with Enyimba International he then continued his career with Union Bank his selection in senior teams drew the attention of the youth national team coaches.
Dynamo Kyiv
editAfter drawing interest from clubs like PSV Eindhoven and VfB Stuttgart, Yussuf signed with Dynamo Kyiv in July 2003. On 5 August, he made his debut in the club's reserve team, FC Dynamo-2 Kyiv, against FC Polissya Zhytomyr. Less than two months later, on 21 September, Yussef made his senior team debut against Zirka Kirovohrad. A serious knee injury ended his 2003–04 season. On 16 September 2004, he made his first appearance in the UEFA Champions League for FC Dynamo Kyiv in a match against Roma.
Since the second half of the 2011–12 season, Yussuf has struggled to maintain a place in the first team and was loaned to Turkish Süper Lig side Orduspor on 31 January 2013.[1] After a loan spell in Turkey, he still had not regained a first-team spot and played for the reserve team of Dynamo Kyiv, Dynamo-2 Kyiv. On 18 February 2014, he joined league rivals Metalist Kharkiv on a loan deal until the end of the year.[2]
Career statistics
edit- As of 2 January 2014
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Dynamo-2 Kyiv | 2003–04 | Ukrainian First League | 10 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Dynamo Kyiv | 2003–04 | Ukrainian Premier League |
1 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 24 | 4 | ||
| 2005–06 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 3 | ||
| 2006–07 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 31 | 3 | ||
| 2007–08 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 1 | ||
| 2008–09 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 22 | 2 | ||
| 2010–11 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 25 | 2 | ||
| 2011–12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Total | 120 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 47 | 4 | 178 | 15 | ||
| Orduspor (loan) | 2012–13 | Süper Lig | 8 | 1 | – | – | 8 | 1 | ||
| Dynamo-2 Kyiv | 2013–14 | Ukrainian First League | 8 | 2 | – | – | 8 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 146 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 47 | 4 | 204 | 18 | ||
References
edit- ^ "Ayila Yussuf moves to Turkey". FC Dynamo Kyiv. 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014.
- ^ "Ayila Yussuf to play for FC Metalist Kharkiv on loan". FC Dynamo Kyiv. 18 February 2014.
External links
edit- Dynamo Kyiv profile
- Ayila Yussuf at National-Football-Teams.com
- Ayila Yussuf at UAF and archived FFU page (in Ukrainian)