Manchester United has signed former Watford striker and Nigerian international, Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua on loan until the end of the season.
The deal to bring the 30-year-old Nigeria international to Old Trafford contains no option to buy.
Ighalo, who is still in China but is expected to fly to the UK in the next few days, scored 39 goals in 99 matches for Watford between 2014 and 2017, BBC reports.
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He then moved to the Chinese Super League, first with Changchun Yatai. After two seasons he moved to Shanghai Shenhua and has scored 10 times in 19 games.
His form for his country has been eye-catching, finishing as top scorer in African Cup of Nations qualifying with seven goals, before scoring five at the tournament during the summer.
From Ajegunle to Manchester, Odion Ighalo becomes first Nigerian to sign for Man Utd
The former Watford striker becomes the first Nigerian to sign for the Red Devils.
It is believed the 30-year-old grew up supporting Man Utd and always considered this a dream move for his career, as reported by The Telegraph.
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James Robson of The Standard earlier suggested that Ighalo would make for a better acquisition than Bournemouth striker Joshua King, who was strongly linked with a return to Old Trafford today, as per Sky Sports — hinting that a second offer would be made after the first was rejected.
Ighalo is convinced he’s secured his dream move to United. Have to say it makes a lot more sense than King #mufc
No way did he think it would happen at this stage of his career, but United had no other choice but to dip into the January transfer market to secure an emergency signing after losing Marcus Rashford to a long-term injury.
Reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano was one of the first with the news, as seen below:
Odion Ighalo to Manchester United, here we go! Total agreement with Shanghai Shenhua for a loan with buy option. He’ll fly to UK during the weekend. 🔴 #MUFC #ManUnited
Tottenham called him but the player decided for Man Utd – he’s #MUFC fan since he was a kid.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2020
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope Ighalo can bring goals to his side, along with fellow new signing Bruno Fernandes, who completed his transfer from Sporting on Thursday.
His record in England is an impressive one, scoring 40 goals and registering 11 assists in 100 appearances for Watford, where he spent two-and-a-half-years. That’s a one-in-two ratio for goal involvements – a trait that wouldn’t go amiss at United.
Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail claims United will pay a £3m loan fee as well as the player’s £100,000-a-week wages until the end of the season.
Ighalo’s loan fee said to be £3m and Utd will pay him just over £100,000-a-week until the end of the season #mufc
— Chris Wheeler (@ChrisWheelerDM) January 31, 2020
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