New Middlesbrough Striker Yakubu Gets Malaria...Again

How does someone come down with malaria twice in 3 years? Aren't their precautions that can be taken? Set to complete a £7.5 million move from recently-relegated bottom-half dwellers Portsmouth to Middlesbrough on July 1, Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu has come down with malaria for the second time since the beginning of the 2002-2003 season. The forward scored 13 goals in the Prem this past season and 17 in all competitions. The 22 year-old marksman has pulled out of the Nigerian squad for its upcoming World Cup qualifier against Rwanda.

Maybe this is a good sign for the Teesiders, as the striker first contracted the disease just prior to the 2002-03 season and went on to score 19 goals for Portsmouth.