‘Everyone has an opportunity’: Portsmouth title winner handed huge career lifeline after shock Aberdeen decision
Kusini Yengi’s career after Pompey has failed to lift off, but he’s been given huge lifeline to save his Aberdeen career.
Kusini Yengi has been handed a huge lifeline to save his Aberdeen career.
The 27-year-old’s post-Fratton Park career has been far from plain sailing after struggling for form, fitness and goals in Scotland and Japan.
After being released by the Blues at the end of his two-year deal in May 2025, the former Fratton favourite joined Aberdeen on a permanent basis penning a three-year contract.
Having failed to appear on the scoresheet during the 2024-25 campaign at PO4 prior to his exit, the striker failed to reignite his form north of the border and quickly fell down Jimmy Thelin’s ranks at Pittodrie before being shipped off to Japanese side Cerezo Osaka on loan in January.
After Arthur Papas’ side opted against triggering the permanent option in Yengi’s loan agreement, he subsequently returned to the Dons, who were reportedly looking to offload the Socceroos international just 12 months into his three-year deal earlier this summer.
Pompey title winner handed huge career lifeline
But despite successive goalless league campaigns, the forward now looks set to stay and fight for a place under new Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson, who is prepared to keep the forward in his ranks this season.
Although Yengi remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from the long-term thigh injury, the head coach is willing to hand the striker a valuable lifeline in a bid to reignite his faltering career.
Speaking on the Dons’ official website about Yengi, Robinson said: ‘Everyone here is fighting for a place. At the moment, Kusini Yengi won’t be in the squad tomorrow. He’s not fit enough to be in the squad.
‘He hasn’t played any football, and he’s had a long-term injury, so he’s only just started back training again. He won’t be involved this week or in the coming weeks.
‘But everyone has an opportunity. If they’re good enough, they’ll play.
‘People say, “Give people opportunities,” you have an opportunity every day in training. Every day you walk through that door you’ve got an opportunity to impress the staff.
‘Kusini will be no different to anybody else.’
Kusini Yengi’s Pompey career
Yengi was one of 14 arrivals at Fratton Park in the summer of 2023 as part of Mousinho’s overhaul, with the striker making the move from Western Sydney Wanderers.
And it didn’t take long for the Aussie to establish himself as a firm fan favourite on the south coast, netting five goals in his first five appearances in all competitions for his new side.
He went on to appear on the scoresheet 13 times in 31 outings for the Blues that season, playing a key role in their League One title success.
His impressive form also earned him his first international call up for Australia in October 2023 and went on to score four goals at national-team level.
But Yengi was unable to replicate that form for Pompey in the Championship, with injuries and poor form limiting him to just 14 appearances.
Yengi has since netted just one goal since his PO4 exit, with his last league strike coming for the Blues in a 2-1 defeat against Wigan Athletic in April 2024.
Your next Pompey read: 3 glaring Portsmouth transfer issues exposed by QPR that need addressing ASAP