I went for the money – Ex-Super Eagles star opens up on England exit to China

Former Super Eagles striker Odion Jude Ighalo has revealed the real reason behind his move from English Premier League side Watford FC to the Chinese Super League’s Changchun Yatai in 2017.

Speaking during an episode of The Echo Podcast, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot winner admitted that his switch to China was a financially motivated decision after he had fulfilled his childhood dream of playing in the English Premier League.

At the time of the transfer, many football fans and analysts questioned why a Premier League striker in his prime would leave Europe for Asia.

Now, the 34-year-old Al-Wehda FC forward has provided clarity.

“I was 27 at the time. I'd fulfilled my personal dream of playing in the English Premier League,” Ighalo said.

He added, “When I was growing up in Ajegunle, I didn’t even know I’d get to the level I got to. I just wanted to make a few bucks to change my family’s life and make them proud.”

He went on to explain how deeply rooted the Premier League was in his upbringing.

“Back then, we used to pay to sit at the viewing centre, lapping each other to watch the television. So the Premier League was a dream come true,” he added.

Ighalo's transfer to Changchun Yatai was reportedly worth £20 million, a fee Watford could not turn down.

The striker revealed that the club accepted the Chinese offer before even informing him.

“The club already accepted the offer without my consent because it was good money for them. They accepted £20 million, because no other team was going to pay that,” he said.

After joining Changchun Yatai, Ighalo quickly established himself as one of the most lethal finishers in the Chinese Super League.

He scored an impressive 36 goals in 53 or 54 appearances, which earned him a more lucrative contract with Shanghai Shenhua.

“I signed a four-year contract with Changchun Yatai but played two years there before moving to Shanghai Shenhua, with even more money because I did so well,” Ighalo said.

After his successful stints in China, Ighalo secured a fairytale loan move to Manchester United in January 2020.

The move brought him back to the Premier League, making him the first Nigerian to play for the Red Devils.

“I played one year at Shanghai before going on loan to Manchester United,” Ighalo said with pride.

His time at Old Trafford was short but impactful, as he made history by becoming the first Nigerian player to score for Man United, netting five goals across all competitions.