The 2002/03 season marked Portsmouth’s 11th consecutive season in the second tier, and fans were growing increasingly unhappy as their team lingered at the bottom of the table.

Harry Redknapp hoped that in his first full year in charge of Pompey, he could help stabilise the club and eventually push them towards promotion.

What followed was a season that few at Fratton Park will ever forget, with the South Coast side leading the way for the most part before eventually winning the title with games in hand.

It was a campaign that proved significant in the route that the club would take over the next decade, with the signing of one specific forward proving to be a fantastic move by those concerned with Portsmouth.

Yakubu had a fantastic stay on loan with Pompey.

With Pompey having a successful first half of the season, owner Milan Mandaric was eager to enhance his squad and ensure that it was involved in the promotion race at the end of the season.

Yakubu joined Hampshire on loan from Maccabi Haifa in January 2003, and he made an immediate impact, scoring three goals in his first three games, including a brace against Derby County.

His form continued in the following months, and despite only playing 14 First Division matches for Portsmouth, he was extremely difficult to cope with for opposing defenders, scoring seven goals in all.

Pompey won the title and sealed their spot in the Premier League for the 2004/05 season, and fans hoped to see their formidable loanee return on a more permanent basis after his brief loan spell.

It was something Redknapp was also interested in, as Portsmouth signed Yakubu for £4 million that summer to prepare for life in the top tier.

Yakubu became a hero at Fratton Park during his two years as a permanent player.

In a new league, it was easy to question if Pompey had made the right move by signing a striker with no experience in England.

However, he showed no nervousness and demonstrated his worth quickly, scoring in only his second Premier League game as his team made a strong start to life in the top level, going undefeated in their first five games.

Yakubu’s form continued, and he blossomed into a highly lethal attacker, finishing the season with 16 goals in 37 matches as Portsmouth finished 13th, proving that they belonged in the division.

2005/06 proved to be a more difficult season for both the player and his team, but it did not prevent the former Nigeria international from reaching double figures in the Premier League once more, scoring 12 goals in 30 outings as Pompey adjusted to life without Redknapp.

Yakubu Portsmouth stats by season (transfermarkt)

Season

Apps

Goals

Assists

2002/03 14 7

– 2003/04 43 19 4 2004/05 35 16

Yakubu joined Middlesbrough in 2006 and left for Portsmouth for £7.5 million, resulting in a profit for the club after two and a half years.