Joel Yakubu (2006)
Right Winger • BFC Daugavpils | Virsliga, Latvia
Summary
🪄 Flamboyant dribbler with outstanding close control & elite ball carrying
⚡ Explosive pace, relentless in 1v1s & wins 8.5 ground duels per 90
🎯 Two-footed creator with vision, precision passing & quality finishing
📊 5 goals & 5 assists on loan at BFC Daugavpils
🔝 A crowd favourite who backs up his flair with real end product and work rate
Scouting Report
Joel Yakubu • 20-year-old right / left winger • Nigeria
Joel Yakubu is a 20-year-old winger currently playing for BFC Daugavpils in the Latvian Virslīga. Comfortable on either flank, he stands just 169 cm tall but compensates with a low centre of gravity, outstanding balance, and explosive pace and acceleration. Combined with first-class technique, exceptional close control and outstanding ball-carrying ability at speed, he is every full-back’s nightmare.
Yakubu usually starts wide before drifting into the half-spaces, where he becomes a threat both as a goalscorer and creator. Predominantly left-footed, he also possesses a dependable right foot, making him difficult to predict in one-on-one situations. His passing accuracy is unusually high for a winger, and he regularly threads precise through balls behind the defence, highlighting excellent vision, spatial awareness and anticipation.
The first thing that catches the eye is his flair. Yakubu is a dazzling dribbler and a natural crowd favourite, yet he rarely overcomplicates situations. Instead, he combines his technical brilliance with impressive efficiency, consistently making the right decisions in the final third.
Just as importantly, he contributes without the ball. Yakubu tracks back willingly, works tirelessly for the team and wins 8.5 ground duels (42%) per 90 minutes according to SofaScore, impressive numbers for such a technically gifted wide player. His stamina is another asset, allowing him to maintain a high level throughout full matches.
To complete the picture, Yakubu has already demonstrated impressive versatility in front of goal this season, scoring with both feet as well as with his head.
Areas for improvement
Although comfortable crossing with either foot, the overall quality and consistency of his deliveries can still improve.
His finishing also has another level. Greater composure in front of goal, particularly when reacting to rebounds or finishing from close range, should significantly increase his goal return.
Adding more runs in behind the defensive line would provide another dimension to his attacking game and make him even harder to defend against.
Career trajectory and current form
Yakubu developed at Abuja-based FC Mahanaim, a club founded in 2018 with the ambition of becoming one of Nigeria’s leading player development environments. His performances earned him a move to Czech side Slovan Liberec in September 2024, where he represented the club’s reserve team. Across a season and a half in the Czech third tier, he recorded 6 goals and 6 assists in 34 appearances.
BFC Daugavpils, who have built a productive relationship with Slovan Liberec in recent years, secured Yakubu on a season-long loan ahead of the 2026 campaign.
The move has proved an excellent fit. Yakubu has quickly established himself as one of the Virslīga’s most entertaining players, combining spectacular dribbling with consistent end product. At the halfway stage of the season he has recorded 5 goals and 5 assists in 25 appearances, firmly putting himself on the radar of scouts across Europe.
Transfer outlook
Latvia currently sits 36th in UEFA’s league coefficient rankings following several encouraging European campaigns. For Yakubu, the Virslīga has provided an ideal platform to gain regular senior football while continuing his development.
The logical next step would be returning to Slovan Liberec. With the Czech First League currently ranked 11th in UEFA’s league coefficients, it represents a significant step up from Latvia and an ideal environment for Yakubu’s continued development. However, clubs may also look to move before that opportunity arises.
His profile appears particularly well suited to Scandinavian football, especially the Norwegian Eliteserien, although Belgian clubs continue to monitor the Latvian market closely. If Yakubu is not part of Slovan Liberec’s long-term plans, a transfer fee in the region of €1–1.5 million, potentially with a sell-on clause included, could represent excellent value for a player with significant upside.
Structured player data
Player facts
- Nationality
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Date of birth
- 05/02/2006 ()
- Height
- 169 cm
- Dominant foot
- Left
- Two-footed ability
- Strong
- Positions
- 1 Right Winger Right 2 Left Winger Left
