Najeeb Yakubu: Niger-Ghana winger leaves Persijap to become free agent after contract expiry

Najeeb Yakubu has completed his departure from Indonesian side Persijap, officially becoming a free agent after his contract ran its course. The 26-year-old right winger is now registered “Without Club” following the confirmed transfer out of the Liga 1 outfit, making him available on a free transfer from 2026-07-01, with no transfer fee involved and no new club yet announced. His contract with Persijap is confirmed to have ended on 2026-07-01.

The move formally records Yakubu’s status shifting from a contracted Persijap player in Indonesia’s Super League to a player unattached to any professional side. With his market value listed at €350k, the Niger-Ghana attacker now enters the open market at what should be a prime stage of his career, offering potential suitors a versatile, right-footed wide forward without the need for a transfer fee.

Born in Accra and holding nationalities of Niger and Ghana, Yakubu has been operating primarily as an attacking right winger, a profile that naturally draws interest from clubs seeking pace and directness in wide areas. Standing at 1.82m, he combines physical presence with attacking positioning, and his ability to operate on the flank gives tactical flexibility to coaches who prefer wide, transition-focused football.

Persijap, his most recent club, competes in Indonesia’s top flight, and Yakubu’s exit also underlines the growing pattern of African players using Southeast Asian leagues as stepping stones in their careers. While his new destination is not yet recorded, his free-agent status leaves open the possibility of another move abroad, potentially beyond Indonesia and outside his home national setups of Niger and Ghana.

The league information linked to his transfer lists his previous competition as the Indonesian Super League but shows no current league for his next step, reflecting his shift into the global pool of unattached professionals. With no contract expiry date now in place beyond the documented end on 2026-07-01, negotiations with any interested club would start from a clean slate, with Yakubu free to weigh factors such as playing time, tactical fit, and career development.

At 26, he is entering what is typically considered a forward’s peak years. His experience in Indonesia, added to his dual West African background, may appeal to clubs looking for an already internationally adapted player comfortable outside his birth country. His social media presence, including an Instagram account under his name, also indicates a modern, outward-facing professional image that can be attractive in today’s commercialised club environment.

With no transfer fee required and a €350k market valuation as a benchmark, Yakubu’s next contract will be critical in determining whether he can convert his free-agent status into a platform for a higher-profile role, either back in Africa, in Asia, or in another emerging league looking for value in the market.