In March 2013, City rolled the dice on a raw, pacy striker released by Burton Albion.
Twelve years on, Adi Yussuf’s name remains a curious footnote in the Imps’ modern history. Not quite a member of the ‘one appearance’ club, he turned out twice for City,, but if you blinked, you might have missed him.
When Adi Yussuf arrived at Sincil Bank, he did so with a reputation that suggested untapped potential. A product of the Leicester City academy, Yussuf had been coached by respected figures including John Rudkin, plus ex-Imps Trevor Peake, and Nicky Eaden. His time with the Foxes saw him impress at youth level, while a short but promising loan spell at Tamworth showcased the explosive pace and power that became his trademarks.
But as was the case throughout his career, injuries told a different story. Despite scoring goals and creating chances during that stint in non-league, a series of hamstring issues hampered his rise. Released as part of Sven-Göran Eriksson’s overhaul at Leicester, Yussuf’s footballing journey veered away from its Premier League potential and into the unforgiving world of League Two and below.
A year at Burton Albion followed, where he competed with a strong attacking trio including Calvin Zola and Billy Kee. Though he grabbed a goal in a thrilling win over Barnet, first-team football proved elusive, and another injury cut his campaign short. Released in the summer of 2012, Yussuf’s career looked to be on the brink.
Enter Gary Simpson.
Newly reinstalled at the Imps helm and rebuilding a beleaguered Lincoln squad, Simpson took a chance on the 20-year-old forward in March 2013. The move carried echoes of previous gambles—young, hungry players with something to prove. Yussuf, standing at 6ft 1in and blessed with searing pace, appeared to fit the mould perfectly.
Yussuf’s time at Lincoln was brief and ultimately unremarkable, but it arrived at a pivotal moment. The club were scrapping for survival in the Conference, and while Yussuf didn’t light up Sincil Bank, he did play twice. He made his debut as a sub during the 1-0 defeat to Salisbury City (yeah, that happened), picking up a booking. His one and only start came on October 12th as we lost 1-0, again, at home to Aldershot Town.
In truth, it was a case of what might have been. Injuries continued to plague him, and he was released at the end of the 2013/14 campaign. From there, Yussuf embarked on a journeyman career that spanned more than a dozen clubs and included spells in the EFL, the National League, Europe, and even international honours with Tanzania.
Headlines Post Lincoln
After leaving the Imps, Yussuf’s career became a well-travelled one, featuring spells across the EFL and National League, as well as a taste of international and European football. He reignited his form at Oxford City, scoring 27 goals in 39 appearances, earning a move to Mansfield Town. Despite flashes of quality—including a memorable winner against Dagenham—his time there was overshadowed by a bizarre five-game FA ban for urinating at the back of a stand.
Yussuf later turned out for Crawley, Grimsby, and Barrow, before impressing during a prolific stint at Solihull Moors, which led to a move to Blackpool. Although he never made a league appearance for the Seasiders, he gained valuable experience on loan at Solihull again, Wrexham, and Chesterfield. A season with Yeovil Town followed before a brief adventure abroad with Gibraltar’s St Joseph’s.
Returning to England, Yussuf signed for Gateshead and later Brackley Town before joining Halesowen Town in 2024. In January 2025, he moved on loan to Redditch United. Internationally, he won caps for Tanzania and featured in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
In 2024, Yussuf began transitioning into coaching, joining Leicester City’s staff through the Premier League’s Professional Player to Coach Scheme—bringing his career full circle.
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