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.

Ayila Yussuf Atanda
Personal information
Full name Atanda Ayila Yussuf
Date of birth (1984-11-04) 4 November 1984 (age 39)
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)
2003Dynamo-2 Kyiv 10 (0)
2013Orduspor (loan) 8 (1)
2013Dynamo-2 Kyiv 8 (2)
2014Metalist Kharkiv (loan) 5 (1)
Total 194 (18)
International career
2005–2011 Nigeria 31 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Early career

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At 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

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After 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

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As of 2 January 2014
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
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

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  1. ^ "Ayila Yussuf moves to Turkey". FC Dynamo Kyiv. 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014.
  2. ^ "Ayila Yussuf to play for FC Metalist Kharkiv on loan". FC Dynamo Kyiv. 18 February 2014.
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