Nice peice from Joey, i often feel we expect from Joey without appreciating him:
Joseph Yobo says the support he received from Everton during his brother's kidnapping ordeal back home in Nigeria convinced him to sign a new contract.
He admitted: "Their kindness played a big part in my decision to commit my future to this club.
"The chairman and the manager told me that whatever I needed, they were there to support me. They were there for me when my country wasn't. I had to return that loyalty and I hope I have done that by signing this new contract."
Yet defender Yobo never imagined it would be such a love affair when he became David Moyes' first signing for the club in 2002.
He said: "I'd just had a very good World Cup and a lot of clubs wanted me. Everton were the first I spoke to but I wasn't planning to sign for them.
"I was playing for Marseille, one of the biggest clubs in France, and Everton were struggling at the time.
"But I went for a meal with David Moyes, he told me about his plans and I bought into his ideas straight away. I spoke to my friend George Abbey, playing for Macclesfield at the time, as well as Nigerian team-mates such as Kanu. They all told me that with my pace and power I should come to England because the game here would suit me very well.
"But after the meeting with Mr Moyes, I didn't want to speak to any other clubs. I put my faith in him and he put his faith in me."
Joseph Yobo says the support he received from Everton during his brother's kidnapping ordeal back home in Nigeria convinced him to sign a new contract.
He admitted: "Their kindness played a big part in my decision to commit my future to this club.
"The chairman and the manager told me that whatever I needed, they were there to support me. They were there for me when my country wasn't. I had to return that loyalty and I hope I have done that by signing this new contract."
Yet defender Yobo never imagined it would be such a love affair when he became David Moyes' first signing for the club in 2002.
He said: "I'd just had a very good World Cup and a lot of clubs wanted me. Everton were the first I spoke to but I wasn't planning to sign for them.
"I was playing for Marseille, one of the biggest clubs in France, and Everton were struggling at the time.
"But I went for a meal with David Moyes, he told me about his plans and I bought into his ideas straight away. I spoke to my friend George Abbey, playing for Macclesfield at the time, as well as Nigerian team-mates such as Kanu. They all told me that with my pace and power I should come to England because the game here would suit me very well.
"But after the meeting with Mr Moyes, I didn't want to speak to any other clubs. I put my faith in him and he put his faith in me."
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