# Joseph Yobo

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Joseph_Yobo
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Joseph_Yobo.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Yobo
> Source revision: 1354662568
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{short description|Nigerian footballer (born 1980)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=May 2026}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Joseph Yobo<br />{{nobold|{{post-nominals|country=NGA|OON}}}}
| image = JosephYobo'13 (cropped).JPG
| caption = Yobo playing for [Fenerbahçe](/source/Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K._(football)) in 2013
| full_name = Joseph Michael Yobo<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageID=526&kisiID=1346333 |title=Joseph Michael Yobo |publisher=Turkish Football Federation |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|9|6|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2010-11 448">{{cite book|editor-first=Barry J.|editor-last=Hugman|title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11|publisher=[Mainstream Publishing](/source/Mainstream_Publishing)|year=2010|isbn=978-1-84596-601-0|page=448}}</ref>
| birth_place =  [Kono](/source/Kono%2C_Rivers), [Rivers State](/source/Rivers_State), Nigeria
| height = 1.88 m<ref name="guardian_interview">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/07/sport.comment2 |title=Yobo in power play |newspaper=[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian) |date=7 September 2003 |access-date=19 September 2008 |location=London |first=Jamie |last=Jackson |archive-date=22 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722204431/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/07/sport.comment2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| position = [Defender](/source/Defender_(association_football))
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1996–1997
| youthclubs1 = Michellin-Harcourt
| youthyears2 = 1997–1998
| youthclubs2 = [Standard Liège](/source/Standard_de_Li%C3%A8ge)
| years1 = 1998–2001
| clubs1 = [Standard Liège](/source/Standard_de_Li%C3%A8ge)
| caps1 = 46
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2001–2003
| clubs2 = [Marseille](/source/Olympique_de_Marseille)
| caps2 = 23
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2001–2002
| clubs3 = → [Tenerife](/source/CD_Tenerife) (loan)
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2002–2003
| clubs4 = → [Everton](/source/Everton_F.C.) (loan)
| caps4 = 24
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2003–2012
| clubs5 = [Everton](/source/Everton_F.C.)
| caps5 = 196
| goals5 = 8
| years6 = 2010–2012
| clubs6 = → [Fenerbahçe](/source/Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K._(football)) (loan)
| caps6 = 69
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2012–2014
| clubs7 = [Fenerbahçe](/source/Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K._(football))
| caps7 = 21
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2014
| clubs8 = → [Norwich City](/source/Norwich_City_F.C.) (loan)
| caps8 = 8
| goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 387
| totalgoals = 13
| nationalyears1 = 2001–2014
| nationalteam1 = [Nigeria](/source/Nigeria_national_football_team)
| nationalcaps1 = 101<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eaglecity.blogspot.com/2014/06/joseph-yobo-questions-and-yet-four.html?spref=tw|title = Joseph Yobo Questions and Yet Four Games to a Nigerian Record. ..}}</ref>
| nationalgoals1 = 7
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Men's [football](/source/association_football)}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|NGA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[Africa Cup of Nations](/source/Africa_Cup_of_Nations)}}
{{Medal|W|[2013](/source/2013_Africa_Cup_of_Nations)|}}
}}
'''Joseph Michael Yobo''' (born 6 September 1980) is a Nigerian former professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who played as a [centre back](/source/centre_back). 

Yobo started his career at [Standard Liège](/source/Standard_de_Li%C3%A8ge) and [Marseille](/source/Olympique_de_Marseille) before joining [Everton](/source/Everton_F.C.) in 2002. He spent 10 years at the club and became the first African player to captain Everton. After leaving Everton, he spent time at [Fenerbahçe](/source/Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K._(football)) and [Norwich City](/source/Norwich_City_F.C.). He was the captain of the [Nigerian national team](/source/Nigeria_national_football_team) until his international football retirement in June 2014, and was Nigeria's record appearance holder. He was part of nine Nigerian international squads. In February 2020, he was appointed assistant coach of the [Super Eagles](/source/Nigeria_national_football_team) by the [Nigeria Football Federation](/source/Nigeria_Football_Federation).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rohr sacked as Nigeria coach with Eguavoen named as replacement {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-za/news/rohr-sacked-as-nigeria-coach-with-eguavoen-named-as/blt4047d58f4a0f81b5|access-date=24 January 2022|website=www.goal.com}}</ref>

==Early years==
Yobo's birthplace and origin is [Kono](/source/Kono%2C_Rivers), an Ogoni community in [Khana](/source/Khana%2C_Rivers_State) Local Government Area of [Rivers State, Nigeria](/source/Rivers_State%2C_Nigeria).<ref name="kono">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6904226.stm |title=Hon. Worgu Boms |publisher=BBC |date=18 July 2007 |access-date=1 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713012907/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6904226.stm |archive-date=13 July 2014 }}</ref>

Yobo left Nigeria to join [Standard Liège](/source/Standard_Li%C3%A8ge) in 1998. He made his first team debut in 2000, and went on to appear 46 times. In 2001, he was bought by [Marseille](/source/Olympique_de_Marseille).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/1493202.stm |title=European Preview: Belgium Transfers |work=[BBC Sport](/source/BBC_Sport) |date=15 August 2001 |access-date=19 September 2008 |archive-date=16 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116045956/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/1493202.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Club career==
===Everton===
[[File:Van Persie free kick.jpg|thumbnail|left|Yobo (#4) playing for Everton against [Arsenal](/source/Arsenal_F.C.).]]

Soon after making his debut, Yobo was loaned to [Tenerife](/source/CD_Tenerife). After around nine months, Yobo returned to Marseille, before joining [Everton](/source/Everton_F.C.), again on loan, in July 2002. A £1 million fee was required to register the player, and he became the first signing of [David Moyes](/source/David_Moyes).<ref name="bbc_2002">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/2098473.stm |title=Everton complete Yobo chase |work=BBC Sport |date=9 July 2002 |access-date=20 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031212090617/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/teams/e/everton/2098473.stm |archive-date=12 December 2003 |url-status=live }}</ref> An option to make the move permanent was taken up and completed in 2003 after a dispute between Yobo and Marseille was settled,<ref name="everton_profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.evertonfc.com/match/former-blues.html?player_id=20|title=Joseph Yobo – Everton F.C. Player Profile}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> with Everton agreeing a fixed additional fee of £4 million.<ref name="guardian_interview"/><ref>{{cite news|first=Dominic |last=Fifield |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/nov/28/newsstory.sport10 |title=Everton close in on Yobo's signature |newspaper=[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian) |date=28 November 2002 |access-date=19 September 2008 |location=London |archive-date=31 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731101551/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/nov/28/newsstory.sport10 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Yobo became 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 [2006–07 season](/source/2006%E2%80%9307_FA_Premier_League); his teammate [Joleon Lescott](/source/Joleon_Lescott) also being an ever-present throughout the season.

The delay, in 2006, in signing a new contract with Everton lead to rumours of a move to [Arsenal](/source/Arsenal_F.C.),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/everton/4873048.stm |title=Everton face Yobo contract delay |department=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2006 |access-date=19 September 2008 |archive-date=22 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322162543/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/everton/4873048.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> but on 22 July, Yobo committed himself to [Goodison Park](/source/Goodison_Park) until 2010. On 15 April 2007, Yobo became the record appearance holder for an overseas player at Everton, a record he held until early 2012.<ref>[http://ndn.nigeriadailynews.com/templates/?a=13347 Joseph Yobo on NigeriaNews] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714183337/http://ndn.nigeriadailynews.com/templates/?a=13347 |date=14 July 2011 }}</ref> For the [UEFA Cup](/source/UEFA_Europa_League) match against [AEL](/source/Athlitiki_Enosi_Larissa_F.C.) of [Greece](/source/Greece) on 25 October 2007, Yobo was named as captain in the absence of [Phil Neville](/source/Phil_Neville) and thus became the first African to captain the club. On 6 May 2009, Yobo scored his first goal of the season against [West Ham United](/source/West_Ham_United) to seal a 3–1 win.

In the 2009–10 season, Yobo had to adjust to his new defensive partner, [Sylvain Distin](/source/Sylvain_Distin), after [Joleon Lescott](/source/Joleon_Lescott) left and [Phil Jagielka](/source/Phil_Jagielka) became injured. On 29 November 2009, he scored an own goal in Everton's 2–0 defeat to [Liverpool](/source/Liverpool_F.C.) in the [Merseyside derby](/source/Merseyside_derby). Distin, Jagielka and [John Heitinga](/source/John_Heitinga) were increasingly selected over Yobo, confining him to the bench.

===Fenerbahçe===
On 31 August 2010, Yobo signed a one-year loan contract with [Fenerbahçe](/source/Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K._(football)). Yobo played in 30 official matches and scored a goal, helping his team win the [league](/source/2010%E2%80%9311_S%C3%BCper_Lig) title. On 6 September 2011, Fenerbahçe and Everton agreed on another loan deal for €700,000 and Yobo signed a one-year contract worth €2.35 million.<ref>{{cite news|date=6 September 2011|url= http://www.kap.gov.tr/yay/Bildirim/Bildirim.aspx?id=168934|title=Everton kulübü oyuncusu Joseph YOBO nun 2011–2012 sezonunda kiralık olarak transferi konusunda oyuncu ve kulübü ile anlaşmaya varılmıştır. Anlaşma karşılığında Everton Kulübüne 700.000.avro kiralama bedeli, Joseph YOBO ya ise 2011–2012 sezonu için 2.350.000.avro garanti ücret ödenecektir|work=Fenerbahçe SK|publisher=Turkish Public Disclosure System (KAP)|language=tr}}</ref> On 4 August 2012, he re-signed for Fenerbahçe once again, but this time on a permanent basis on a three-year contract, after having played for Everton for 10 years. On 17 August Fenerbahçe played against [Torku Konyaspor](/source/Torku_Konyaspor) and Yobo scored a goal in this match.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joseph Yobo completes move from Everton to Fenerbahçe |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/joseph-yobo-completes-move-everton-143000316--sow.html |department=[Yahoo! Sports](/source/Yahoo!_Sports) |access-date=4 August 2012 |date=4 August 2012 |author=Husmukh Kerai |archive-date= 2 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102195024/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/joseph-yobo-completes-move-everton-143000316--sow.html }}</ref> Before the 2014–2015 season his contract with Fenerbahçe was terminated with mutual agreement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.ntvspor.net/haber/haber-t/112722/yobo-da-gitti |title=Yobo da gitti |work=[NTV Spor](/source/NTV_Spor) |date=29 August 2014 |access-date=29 August 2014 |archive-date= 3 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903071310/http://m.ntvspor.net/haber/haber-t/112722/yobo-da-gitti }}</ref> On 31 August 2014, he was awarded with the plaque of appreciation and have been released from Fenerbahçe.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://dailypost.ng/2014/08/31/fenerbahce-release-joseph-yobo/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Fenerbahce release Joseph Yobo |author=Phillip Eta |date=31 August 2014 |access-date=7 September 2014 |archive-date= 6 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906053255/http://dailypost.ng/2014/08/31/fenerbahce-release-joseph-yobo/ |newspaper=[Daily Post](/source/Daily_Post_(Nigeria))}}</ref>

===Norwich City===
On 30 January 2014, Yobo returned to England on loan at [Norwich City](/source/Norwich_City_F.C.) for the remainder of the season with a view to a permanent move in the summer.<ref>{{cite news|department=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25958861 |title=Transfer window 2014: Norwich City sign Joseph Yobo on loan |date=30 January 2014 |access-date=31 January 2014 |author=Oluwashina Okeleji |archive-date= 2 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202090958/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25958861 |url-status=live }}</ref>

He marked his debut for the club with a clean sheet against top-scoring club [Manchester City](/source/Manchester_City_F.C) on 8 February.<ref>{{cite news|department=BBC Sport |date=8 February 2014 |access-date=8 February 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25995045 |title=Barclays Premier League: Norwich City 0–0 Manchester City |archive-date= 8 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208120145/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25995045 }}</ref>

==International career==
Yobo is a former [Nigeria](/source/Nigeria_national_football_team) international, who has been [capped](/source/Cap_(association_football)) [101 times](/source/List_of_men's_footballers_with_100_or_more_international_caps) and represented the Super Eagles at three [FIFA World Cup](/source/FIFA_World_Cup)s and six [Africa Cup of Nations](/source/Africa_Cup_of_Nations) tournaments.<ref name=fifa>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=178403/profile-detail.html |title=Joseph Yobo |access-date=1 July 2014 |publisher=[FIFA](/source/FIFA) |archive-date= 9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709013506/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player%3D178403/profile-detail.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After participating in Nigeria's run to the [1999 FIFA World Youth Championship](/source/1999_FIFA_World_Youth_Championship) quarter-finals, Yobo made his senior international debut against [Zambia](/source/Zambia_national_football_team) in a [2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier](/source/2002_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(CAF)) on 24 March 2001.<ref name=fifa/> He played in all six of the team's matches in the [2002 Africa Cup of Nations](/source/2002_Africa_Cup_of_Nations)<ref name=rsssf>{{cite news|title=Joseph Phillip Yobo – International Appearances |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/yobo-intl.html |access-date=1 July 2014 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=23 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123053554/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/yobo-intl.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and was included in the squad for the [2002 FIFA World Cup](/source/2002_FIFA_World_Cup), where he was again ever-present,<ref name=rsssf/> assisting [Julius Aghahowa](/source/Julius_Aghahowa)'s goal in a 2–1 loss to [Sweden](/source/Sweden_men's_national_football_team).<ref>{{cite news|department=BBC Sport |date=7 June 2002 |access-date=1 July 2014 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/sweden_v_nigeria/default.stm |title=Swedes knock out Nigeria |archive-date=17 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117000903/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/sweden_v_nigeria/default.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Yobo made his second World Cup appearance at the [2010 tournament](/source/2010_FIFA_World_Cup) in [South Africa](/source/South_Africa), after which he assumed the [captaincy](/source/Captain_(association_football)) on the international retirement of [Nwankwo Kanu](/source/Nwankwo_Kanu).<ref name=fifa/> The veteran defender was no longer a first choice player at the [2013 Africa Cup of Nations](/source/2013_Africa_Cup_of_Nations), but lifted the trophy after appearing as an 89th-minute substitute in Nigeria's 1–0 [final](/source/2013_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_Final) defeat of [Burkina Faso](/source/Burkina_Faso_national_football_team).<ref>{{cite news|department=BBC Sport |date=10 February 2013 |access-date=1 July 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/21403223 |title=Africa Cup of Nations final as it happened |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222080627/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/21403223 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2014, Yobo was included in [Stephen Keshi](/source/Stephen_Keshi)'s squad for the [2014 FIFA World Cup](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27302995 |title=World Cup 2014: Nosa Igiebor cut from Nigeria squad |author=Oluwashina Okeleji |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=1 July 2014 |department=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629085306/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27302995 |url-status=live |archive-date=29 June 2014 }}</ref> He was named in the starting line-up for both the second and third group matches, helping the Super Eagles to clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over [Bosnia and Herzegovina](/source/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_national_football_team).<ref>{{cite news|access-date=22 June 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285235 |title=Nigeria 1–0 Bosnia-Herce |date=22 June 2014 |department=BBC Sport |archive-date=10 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310193200/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285235 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 30 June, he made his 100th international appearance, captaining Nigeria against [France](/source/France_national_football_team) in the [round of 16](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage). After scoring an own goal in the 2–0 defeat, Yobo announced his international retirement, saying: ''"This is it. I can look back on my career with great pride. I wanted to leave on a high for my country. Defeat by France was not the right way to go but I'm happy with all I've done for the national team. It's time to give a chance to other people to come through."''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=keshi-steps-down-yobo-retires-2391384.html |title=Keshi steps down, Yobo retires |date=1 July 2014 |access-date=1 July 2014 |publisher=FIFA |archive-date= 9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709013509/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y%3D2014/m%3D7/news%3Dkeshi-steps-down-yobo-retires-2391384.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Coaching career==
On 12 February 2020, Yobo was appointed assistant coach of the [Super Eagles](/source/Nigeria_national_football_team) by the [Nigeria Football Federation](/source/Nigeria_Football_Federation) after a brief meeting held in [Abuja](/source/Abuja).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/joseph-yobo-confirmed-as-new-nigeria-assistant-coach/16570j9r5hjx314q3mjy39m8dt|title=Yobo confirmed as new Nigeria assistant coach {{!}} Goal.com|website=www.goal.com|access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref> He was appointed assistant coach to replace [Imama Amapakabo](/source/Imama_Amapakabo).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brila.net/nff-fires-imama-appoints-joseph-yobo-as-super-eagles-assistant-coach/|title=NFF Fires Imama, Appoints Joseph Yobo As Super Eagles Assistant Coach|last=Saliu|first=Mohammed|date=12 February 2020|website=Latest Sports News In Nigeria|language=en-US|access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Adewale |last=Charles |title=Joseph Yobo appointed new Super Eagles assistant coach |date=12 February 2020 |url=https://soccerblitz.com.ng/nigeria/super-eagles/joseph-yobo-appointed-new-super-eagles-assistant-coach/ |access-date=12 February 2020 |archive-date=19 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219012206/https://soccerblitz.com.ng/nigeria/super-eagles/joseph-yobo-appointed-new-super-eagles-assistant-coach/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51481160|title=Joseph Yobo: Former Nigeria captain appointed as assistant coach|date=12 February 2020|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2020|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Yobo said "I am bringing back that motivation. As a former captain, I'm bringing inspiration. I've been there and I've done it all. I was a fan of the team before I became an assistant coach, so I've seen from a fanatical point of view how people feel when they are watching the team. We as players, while playing, don't notice these things but after my retirement, I've been a pundit, I've given my opinion about what should be done in the team." He also said "I'm bringing back my experience. Having over 15 years of consistency in my career, I think this is a lot. The good thing is that the spirit is going to improve. Having been a pundit and looking at the team, I think we can go a lot higher with the quality we have".<ref>{{Cite news|title=I'll bring motivation, experience to Eagles – Yobo|url=https://punchng.com/ill-bring-motivation-experience-to-eagles-yobo/|access-date=5 February 2021|newspaper=[The Punch](/source/The_Punch)|date=13 April 2020|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 2010, following a brief courtship, Yobo married former [MBGN](/source/MBGN) [Adaeze Igwe](/source/Adaeze_Igwe) in a midnight ceremony held in [Jos](/source/Jos). The couple wedded in a very low key ceremony barely three months after they met in December 2009.<ref>[http://www.collegemarket.com.ng/joseph-yobos-complicated-family-life/ Joseph Yobo's Complicated Family Life of www.collegemarket.com.ng (21 July 2013] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822125132/http://www.collegemarket.com.ng/joseph-yobos-complicated-family-life/ |date=22 August 2013 }}</ref> However, it is known that they are said to be trying to hide their marital troubles from the press and general public.<ref>[http://www.inlng.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=6138 Yobo weds Igwe] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713035120/http://www.inlng.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=6138 |date=13 July 2011 }}</ref> The couple welcomed a baby boy named Joey Yobo April 2010.

He is the younger brother of former Nigeria international [Albert Yobo](/source/Albert_Yobo). In July 2008, his younger brother Norum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/06072008/58/premier-league-everton-offer-yobo-assistance.html |title=Everton offer Yobo assistance }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> was kidnapped in [Port Harcourt](/source/Port_Harcourt), [Rivers State](/source/Rivers_State), Nigeria and held for ransom. He was eventually released after 12 days on 17 July 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yobo's Brother Released |magazine=[Kick Off](/source/Kick_Off_(magazine)) |date=19 March 2008 |access-date=13 April 2011 |url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/2260/modise-says-he-is-not-feeling-affects-of-fatigue.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227055028/http://www.kickoff.com/news/2260/modise-says-he-is-not-feeling-affects-of-fatigue.php |archive-date=27 December 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

It was widely reported in the Nigerian media that Yobo went to [T.B. Joshua](/source/T.B._Joshua) for prayers after suffering a hamstring injury in the [2010 Africa Cup of Nations](/source/2010_Africa_Cup_of_Nations).<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Auf der Heyde |title=Sports Medicine – African Style |date=27 January 2010 |url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/africa/features/article_1528962.php/Sports-medicine-African-style-Feature |work=Monsters and Critics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011154334/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/africa/features/article_1528962.php/Sports-medicine-African-style-Feature |archive-date=11 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Yobo and his wife, Adaeze Igwe were conferred with chieftaincy titles of Mene Aborlo 1 and Waamene Aborlo 1 respectively of [Ogoniland](/source/Ogoniland) by King GNK Gininwa of Ogoni Kingdom on Saturday, 28 May 2016. This was a day after his testimonial match marking his exit from active football was organised by the Rivers State Government on Friday, 27 May 2016

==Charity work==
In 2007, Yobo set up the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation,<ref>[http://www.josephyobofoundationng.org/ Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904055938/http://josephyobofoundationng.org/ |date= 4 September 2010 }}</ref> to help under-privileged children in Nigeria. As of 18 July 2007, he has handed out over 300 scholarship awards ranging from primary to university level. Yobo has started a football academy in the [Ogoni](/source/Ogoni) region of Nigeria. He also runs football camps in [Lagos](/source/Lagos).

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.11v11.com/index.php?pageID=537&playerID=13830|title=Joseph Yobo : Biography}}</ref><ref>{{soccerbase|22826|name=Joseph Yobo}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup
!colspan="2"|League cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals
|-
|[Standard Liège](/source/Standard_Li%C3%A8ge)
|[2000–01](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_Belgian_First_Division)
|[Belgian First Division](/source/Belgian_First_Division)
|30||2||||||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||30||2
|-
|[Olympique Marseille](/source/Olympique_de_Marseille)
|[2001–02](/source/2001%E2%80%9302_Olympique_de_Marseille_season)
|[Division 1](/source/Ligue_1)
|23||0||||||||||colspan="2"|–||23||0
|-
|[Everton](/source/Everton_F.C.) (loan)
|[2002–03](/source/2002%E2%80%9303_Everton_F.C._season)
|[Premier League](/source/Premier_League)
|24||0||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||26||0
|-
|rowspan="8"|Everton
|[2003–04](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_Everton_F.C._season)
|Premier League
|28||2||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||31||2
|-
|[2004–05](/source/2004%E2%80%9305_Everton_F.C._season)
|Premier League
|27||0||3||0||3||0||colspan="2"|–||33||0
|-
|[2005–06](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_Everton_F.C._season)
|Premier League
|29||1||0||0||1||0||4{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances and one goal in [UEFA Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup)}}||1||34||2
|-
|[2006–07](/source/2006%E2%80%9307_Everton_F.C._season)
|Premier League
|38||2||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||40||2
|-
|[2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Everton_F.C._season)
|Premier League
|30||1||0||0||2||0||7{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in [UEFA Europa League](/source/UEFA_Europa_League)}}||0||39||1
|-
|[2008–09](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_Everton_F.C._season)
|Premier League
|27||1||3||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||33||1
|-
|[2009–10](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_Everton_F.C._season)
|Premier League
|17||1||0||0||0||0||6{{efn|name=UEL}}||1||23||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!196||8||8||0||10||0||19||2||233||10
|-
|rowspan="3"|[Fenerbahçe](/source/Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K._(football_team)) (loan)
|[2010–11](/source/2010%E2%80%9311_Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K._season)
|[Süper Lig](/source/S%C3%BCper_Lig)
|30||1||3||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||33||1
|-
|[2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K._season)
|Süper Lig
|39||1||3||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||42||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!69||2||6||0||0||0||0||0||75||2
|-
|rowspan="3"|Fenerbahçe
|[2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K._season)
|Süper Lig
|20||0||2||0||0||0||12{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, ten appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||0||34||0
|-
|[2013–14](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K._season)
|Süper Lig
|1||1||1||0||colspan="2"|–||3{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League)}}||0||5||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!21||1||3||0||0||0||15||0||38||1
|-
|[Norwich City](/source/Norwich_City_F.C.) (loan)
|[2013–14](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Norwich_City_F.C._season)
|Premier League
|8||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||8||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!371||13||17||0||12||0||34||2||437||15
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT|4828|accessdate=}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="16"|[Nigeria](/source/Nigeria_national_football_team)
|2001||7||0
|-
|2002||12||0
|-
|2003||3||1
|-
|2004||10||2
|-
|2005||6||0
|-
|2006||8||0
|-
|2007||4||0
|-
|2008||10||2
|-
|2009||5||0
|-
|2010||10||0
|-
|2011||11||2
|-
|2012||2||0
|-
|2013||6||0
|-
|2014||6||0
|-
!Total||101||7<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/110406/Yobos_caps_putting_the_records_straight |author=Kunle Solaja |title=Yobo's caps: putting the records straight |publisher=[SuperSport](/source/SuperSport_(South_African_broadcaster)) |date=6 April 2011 |archive-date=30 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930235407/http://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/110406/Yobos_caps_putting_the_records_straight |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Joseph Yobo<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/yobo-intl.html|title=Joseph Phillip Yobo – Century of International Appearances|website=[RSSSF](/source/RSSSF)|access-date=29 May 2019}}</ref>
|-
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 1 June 2003 || [Lagos National Stadium](/source/Lagos_National_Stadium), [Lagos](/source/Lagos), Nigeria || {{fb|Cameroon}} ||1–0 || 3–0 || [Friendly](/source/Friendly_match)
|-
| 2. || 31 January 2004 || [Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet](/source/Stade_Mustapha_Ben_Jannet), [Monastir](/source/Monastir%2C_Tunisia), Tunisia || {{fb|South Africa}} || 1–0 || 4–0 || [2004 African Cup of Nations](/source/2004_African_Cup_of_Nations)
|-
| 3. || 3 July 2004 || [Abuja Stadium](/source/Abuja_Stadium), [Abuja](/source/Abuja), Nigeria || {{fb|Algeria}} || 1–0 || 1–0 || [2006 FIFA World Cup qualification](/source/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_CAF_Group_4)
|-
| 4. || 7 June 2008 || [National Stadium](/source/National_Stadium_(Sierra_Leone)), [Freetown](/source/Freetown), Sierra Leone || {{fb|Sierra Leone}} || 0–1 || 0–1 || [2010 FIFA World Cup qualification](/source/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_CAF_second_round)
|-
| 5. || 15 June 2008 || [Estadio de Malabo](/source/Estadio_de_Malabo), [Malabo](/source/Malabo), Equatorial Guinea || {{fb|Equatorial Guinea}} || 0–1 || 0–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 6. || 5 June 2011 || [Addis Ababa Stadium](/source/Addis_Ababa_Stadium), [Addis Ababa](/source/Addis_Ababa), Ethiopia || {{fb|Ethiopia}} || 2–2 || 2–2 || [2012 African Cup of Nations qualification](/source/2012_African_Cup_of_Nations_qualification)
|-
| 7. || 4 September 2011 || [Mahamasina Stadium](/source/Mahamasina_Stadium), [Antananarivo](/source/Antananarivo), Madagascar || {{fb|Madagascar}} || 0–1 || 0–2 || 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification
|}

==Honours==
'''Fenerbahce'''
*[Süper Lig](/source/S%C3%BCper_Lig): [2010–11](/source/2010%E2%80%9311_S%C3%BCper_Lig)
*[Turkish Cup](/source/Turkish_Cup): [2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Turkish_Cup), [2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Turkish_Cup)

'''Nigeria'''
*[Africa Cup of Nations](/source/Africa_Cup_of_Nations): [2013](/source/2013_Africa_Cup_of_Nations)

'''Orders'''
*[Officer of the Order of the Niger](/source/Officer_of_the_Order_of_the_Niger): 2013<ref>{{cite news |last=Okeleji |first=Oluwashina |author-link=Oluwashina Okeleji |date=13 February 2013 |title=Presidential reward for Super Eagles |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21450619 |department=Sport |work=BBC |location=Lagos |access-date=19 March 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Football in Africa}}
* [List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps](/source/List_of_men's_footballers_with_100_or_more_international_caps)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.josephyobofoundation.org/ |title=Joseph Yobo Foundation Charity founded by Joseph Yobo |access-date=17 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122131511/http://www.josephyobofoundation.org/ |archive-date=22 January 2008 |url-status=dead}}
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6904226.stm BBC Coverage of Joseph Yobo Foundation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100604041417/http://www.supereaglesnation.com/Records.asp International appearances]
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0%2C%2C12306~22817%2C00.html |title=Premier League profile |access-date=17 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002045100/http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0%2C%2C12306~22817%2C00.html |archive-date=2 October 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown}}
* {{UEFA player}}
* {{FIFA player}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Nigeria squads
| bg = #008751
| fg = white
| bordercolor = #00703C
| list1 = 
{{Nigeria Squad 2002 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2004 African Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2006 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2010 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2013 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| bordercolor = black
| list1 = 
{{2005 CAF Team of the Year}}
{{2008 CAF Team of the Year}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yobo, Joseph}}
Category:1980 births
Category:Living people
Category:People from Khana, Rivers
Category:Nigerian men's footballers
Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Standard Liège players
Category:Olympique de Marseille players
Category:Everton F.C. players
Category:Fenerbahçe S.K. footballers
Category:Norwich City F.C. players
Category:Ligue 1 players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:Süper Lig players
Category:Nigeria men's under-20 international footballers
Category:Nigeria men's international footballers
Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players
Category:2002 African Cup of Nations players
Category:2004 African Cup of Nations players
Category:2006 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:2010 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players
Category:2013 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players
Category:Africa Cup of Nations–winning players
Category:FIFA Men's Century Club
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in France
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Officers of the Order of the Niger
Category:21st-century Nigerian sportsmen

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Joseph Yobo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Yobo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Yobo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.