Alhassan Yusuf is a disciplined defensive midfielder who won silverware in Belgium before taking his game to Major League Soccer. Calm on the ball and diligent out of possession, the Kano-born Nigerian lifted a historic Royal Antwerp title, played Champions League football and reached an AFCON final, establishing himself as a well-travelled Super Eagles option in the heart of midfield.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi Pigui |
| Nationality | Nigeria |
| Date of Birth | 18 July 2000 |
| Latest club | New England Revolution |
| League | MLS (USA) |
| Position | Central midfielder |
| Market value | €5.00m |
Playing style: A composed midfield anchor
A tidy 1.73m midfielder, Yusuf specialises in protecting the back line and keeping possession ticking.
- 🧱 Ball recovery: Screens the defence and wins possession with well-timed challenges.
- 🎯 Clean passing: Keeps the ball moving with simple, reliable distribution.
- 🧠 Positional sense: Reads the game to be in the right place without over-committing.
- 🏃 Stamina: A durable performer who logs heavy minutes across a full season.
- 🤝 Discipline: Selfless and consistent, doing the defensive work that frees his teammates.
Career: From Kano to Antwerp glory and America
Yusuf’s journey runs from a Nigerian academy through Swedish and Belgian football to Major League Soccer, collecting honours and Champions League experience along the way.
Sweden and a historic Antwerp title
A product of FC Hearts in Nigeria, Yusuf moved to Sweden with IFK Göteborg, where he was named the 2019 Allsvenskan Newcomer of the Year. In 2021 he joined Royal Antwerp and quickly became a key midfielder in Belgium.
At Antwerp he enjoyed the best spell of his career, winning the 2022-23 Belgian Pro League — the club’s first in 66 years — along with the Belgian Cup and Super Cup. He also played every Champions League group game in 2023-24, scoring against FC Porto.
A new challenge in MLS
In August 2024 Yusuf joined the New England Revolution, bringing his Belgian and European experience to Major League Soccer. He settled in quickly, becoming a regular starter in the middle of the park.
He was ever-present in the 2025 MLS season, playing every league game and adding goals and assists. His durability and composure have made him a fixture, much like senior compatriot Wilfred Ndidi in Nigeria’s midfield.
| Team (Appea.) | Goals |
|---|---|
| IFK Göteborg (72) | 4 |
| Royal Antwerp (90) | 5 |
| New England Revolution (62) | 4 |
Super Eagles: An AFCON finalist from midfield
Yusuf made his Nigeria debut in January 2024 and quickly earned a place in the AFCON 2023 squad. He played three times at that tournament, including a cameo in the final against hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
Recognised as a Member of the Order of the Niger after the runners-up finish, he has continued to feature for the Super Eagles, including a two-goal display against Jamaica in 2026 that underlined his growing attacking contribution.
| Competition (Stage) | MP (Goal) |
|---|---|
| AFCON 2023 (Runners-up) | 3 (0) |
Clubs journey: Four countries, one steady rise
Yusuf’s career has taken him from Nigeria to Sweden, Belgium and the United States, with the Antwerp years standing out as the period that defined him as a winner.
Now an established presence in MLS and a capped international, the Kano-born midfielder has built a quietly impressive career on consistency, discipline and a knack for lifting trophies.
| Years | Club |
|---|---|
| 2018–2021 | IFK Göteborg |
| 2021–2024 | Royal Antwerp |
| 2024–Present | New England Revolution |