Aziz Yakubu has completed a permanent move from Japanese side Shimizu S-Pulse to Chinese Super League club Qingdao West Coast (QD West Coast) on a free transfer, with his new deal running from 2026-02-02 to 2026-12-31. The Ghanaian centre-forward arrives in China with a current market value of €1.80m, reinforcing QD West Coast’s attack ahead of the upcoming Super League campaign.
The transfer follows the end of Yakubu’s loan spell at QD West Coast from Shimizu S-Pulse, after which he briefly returned to the J1 club before sealing a full switch to China. With no fee paid, the move represents a low‑risk acquisition for the Qingdao side, who have already had a year to assess the 27‑year‑old during his initial stint in the Chinese Super League.
Yakubu, born in Tamale and standing 1.87m tall, is a right‑footed centre-forward whose main position is through the middle of the attack. His contract with QD West Coast is currently scheduled to expire on 2026-12-31, after which he could become a free agent if no extension is agreed. That timeline gives both club and player a defined window to assess his long‑term future in China.
The move continues a career marked by steady progression through several leagues. After developing in Ghana with Charity Stars FC, Yakubu moved to Europe to join FC Vizela’s youth setup before stepping into senior Portuguese football with Vizela, Vitória Guimarães SC B and then the Vitória Guimarães first team. Subsequent spells at GD Estoril Praia and Rio Ave FC saw his market value rise significantly, peaking at €3.00m while at Rio Ave. A loan to Wuhan Three Towns introduced him to Chinese football, and he later returned to Portugal with Rio Ave before heading to Japan’s Shimizu S-Pulse.
At Shimizu, Yakubu competed in the J1 Special Season before moving on loan to QD West Coast, gaining experience in two Asian top flights. That loan from Shimizu to QD West Coast began in the 24/25 season and ended with his return to the Japanese club, after which the Chinese side opted to secure him permanently. The free transfer reflects his contract situation at Shimizu and positions QD West Coast to potentially benefit from a player whose value has fluctuated but remains in seven figures.
Over recent seasons, Yakubu’s performances in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, Japan’s top tier and the Chinese Super League have underpinned his reputation as a mobile, penalty‑box striker. His market value history shows repeated growth phases at different clubs, particularly at Rio Ave, where strong form saw him climb from €650,000 to €3.00m within roughly two years. That profile of improvement, along with his familiarity with Chinese football from his loan at Wuhan Three Towns, likely influenced QD West Coast’s decision to commit to him beyond an initial temporary deal.
For Yakubu, the confirmed transfer extends his career abroad, far from his home country Ghana and its domestic league. It offers another opportunity to re-establish or even raise his value in a competitive environment, with the clear possibility that a strong season in the Super League before 2026-12-31 could either earn him a new contract in China or open the door to another move when his current deal concludes.
