Joseph Michael Yobo OON (born 6 September 1980) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

He was the captain of the Nigerian national team until his international football retirement in June 2014, and was Nigeria's record appearance holder.

[5] Yobo's birthplace and origin is Kono, an Ogoni community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria.

[8] An option to make the move permanent was taken up and completed in 2003 after a dispute between Yobo and Marseille was settled,[9] with Everton agreeing a fixed additional fee of £4 million.

The delay, in 2006, in signing a new contract with Everton lead to rumours of a move to Arsenal,[11] but on 22 July, Yobo committed himself to Goodison Park until 2010.

In the 2009–10 season, Yobo had to adjust to his new defensive partner, Sylvain Distin, after Joleon Lescott left and Phil Jagielka became injured.

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.

[16] On 30 January 2014, Yobo returned to England on loan at Norwich City for the remainder of the season with a view to a permanent move in the summer.

[21] Yobo made his second World Cup appearance at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, after which he assumed the captaincy on the international retirement of Nwankwo Kanu.

[19] The veteran defender was no longer a first choice player at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, but lifted the trophy after appearing as an 89th-minute substitute in Nigeria's 1–0 final defeat of Burkina Faso.

[23] 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.

"[25] On 12 February 2020, Yobo was appointed assistant coach of the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation after a brief meeting held in Abuja.

In July 2008, his younger brother Norum[33] was kidnapped in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria and held for ransom.