Following Blackburn's relegation in 2012, Yakubu stated he wished to leave the club as he didn't want to play Championship football. That spelled an end to the Nigerian's successful spell in England, as Guangzhou R&F offered him a three-year deal. Yakubu scored the winner on his Guangzhou debut in the 87th minute - the first of 25 goals he managed in China. 45 appearances later and 'The Yak' was ready to move clubs once again - this time signing for the Qatar-based Al-Rayyan.