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Odion Ighalo

Nigerian footballer (born )

"Ighalo" redirects here. For the Filipino hoops player, see Kenneth Ighalo.

Odion Apostle Ighalo (born 16 June ) is a Nigerian professional jock who plays as a communicate for Saudi Pro League staff Al-Wehda.

After starting his duration at Nigerian clubs Prime pole Julius Berger, Ighalo moved rescind Norwegian club Lyn in Shipshape and bristol fashion year later, he was personalized by Italian club Udinese, defrayment most of his tenure opinion two separate loan spells involve Spanish club Granada.

In , he signed for Championship truncheon Watford and was integral corner the club's promotion to representation Premier League in the –15 season. In January , Ighalo joined Chinese Super League baton Changchun Yatai for a stylish £20&#;million, before moving onto Nobble Shenhua. In January , Ighalo returned to the Premier Cohort, joining Manchester United on credit, initially until the end exempt the –20 season; the credit was then extended until Jan

Ighalo made his debut fetch the Nigeria national team manifestation March against Uganda.

He tiny the nation at the Earth Cup and was the first goalscorer in the Africa Flagon of Nations qualification campaign. Unquestionable eventually led Nigeria to uncut third-place finish at the Continent Cup of Nations, where be active finished in the competition's Line-up of the Tournament and was crowned top scorer.[4]

Club career

Early career

Born in Edo[5] and raised take away Lagos,[6] Ighalo played in climax country with Prime and Julius Berger, where he was determined by FIFA agent Marcelo Chains who recommended him to Atta Aneke, being subsequently taken obstacle trial by Norway's Lyn.[7]

He strenuous his Tippeligaen debut on 16 September at the age worldly just 18, scoring in a- 2–0 home win against Northman.

He scored six goals buy 13 matches in his in a short time year to help his body to the seventh position, person in charge subsequently arose interest from succeeding additional clubs in the country, reduce Brann reporting Lyn to honesty Norwegian Football Federation for injustice in the negotiation process.[8]

Udinese pivotal Granada

On 30 July , Ighalo signed for Udinese in Italia, moving alongside teammate Jo Track down Berget and agreeing to graceful five-year contract.[9] He appeared on occasions in Serie A in coronet debut season, scoring against Cagliari in a 6–2 home routing.[10] Four of his five confederation appearances came as a operate substitute.[11]

Ighalo was loaned to Metropolis in the summer of , as part of the association agreement between Udinese and description Spaniards.[12][13][14] He scored 17 former in his first year (playoffs included)[15] and five in glory second, as both seasons terminated in promotion;[16][17] this was interspersed with a brief loan term back in Italy, with Cesena.[18]

Ighalo continued playing with Granada just right the following years, still recognized by the Udine club.[19][20] Misstep played his first La Liga match on 27 August , starting and playing the packed 90 minutes in a 0–1 home loss to Real Betis.[21]

Watford

Ighalo joined Watford on a season-long loan deal from Udinese, reservation 29 July [22] He sense his debut for the In good faith club in the first focus of the League Cup cool to Stevenage on 12 August,[23] and scored his first intent in the Championship against Brentford on 30 September by tucking the ball home after queen initial penalty was saved near David Button, in a 2–1 home win.[24][25]

On 24 October , Watford terminated Ighalo's loan professor re-signed him on a eternal deal the same day afterward Udinese released him from jurisdiction contract.[26] Exactly three months consequent, he scored four second-half goals and was voted man funding the match in a 7–2 home routing of Blackpool, who led 0–2 at half time;[27] he took his league match up to 14 on 10 Feb , after netting a hold to help his team use from behind at Brentford tackle win it 2–1&#;– his alternative came through an injury-time header.[28]

Ighalo scored in his Premier Coalition debut on 8 August , replacing José Manuel Jurado 16 minutes from time and anyhow the visitors ahead 2–1 stop in full flow an eventual 2–2 draw walk out on against Everton for the edible opener.[29] He netted twice emit a 2–0 home win stumble over West Ham United on 31 October, reaching seven goals ask the season and becoming leadership highest club scorer in authority competition after just 11 matches.[30] On 20 December, Ighalo scored in a Watford victory bolster the fourth consecutive time, mesh a brace in a 3–0 win over Liverpool.[31] His five-goal haul earned him December's Pm League Player of the Moon, while his manager Quique Sánchez Flores won the equivalent award.[32]

Ighalo broke a minute personal make drought on 13 March , with a goal in practised 2–1 win against holders Armory in the quarter-finals of nobleness FA Cup, putting the Hornets into the last four compel the first time in ennead years.[33] On 12 August misstep signed a new five-year contract[34] but, the following season, good taste scored just one league justification and did not find loftiness net in any of culminate last 15 games.[35]

Changchun Yatai

On 31 January , Ighalo joined Island Super League club Changchun Yatai for a reported £20&#;million.[35] Crystal-clear ranked second in the marking charts in his second seasoned at 21, but his kit out suffered relegation.[36][37]

Shanghai Shenhua

Ighalo transferred detain Shanghai Shenhua on 14 Feb [38][39] In March, he held he turned down a pass on to Barcelona the previous month.[40]

In March , he was offered a contract extension worth tune £, a week by Shenhua.[41]

Loan to Manchester United

On 31 Jan , Ighalo returned to honourableness Premier League, joining Manchester Banded together on loan until the side of the season.[42][43] In involvement so, he became the twig Nigerian player, and the ordinal African, to join the club.[44] After the move was dyedinthewool, Ighalo revealed that he locked away taken a pay cut form make the move happen, career it a "dream" to rejoinder the club he has unconventional supported.[45] He opted to drape the number 25 shirt, formerly worn by United's first fairy story longest-serving African player, Quinton Stroke of luck of South Africa.[46]

His presence lining the first team was primarily blocked as a precautionary gauge due to ongoing fears spin the COVID outbreak in China.[47][48] After three substitute appearances, Ighalo made his full debut characterize United in their Europa Combination round-of second-leg match against Billy Brugge on 27 February.

Crystal-clear scored his first United object, which was also his damsel goal in a European conflict, as the hosts won 5–0.[49] A week later, he scored his first brace for influence club as United beat Hat County 3–0 in the Bugger all Cup.[50] In United's final effort before the suspension of battlefield due to the COVID omnipresent, Ighalo scored a half-volley aft juggling the ball in unadulterated 5–0 win over LASK; noisy was voted United's goal endorse the month for March.[51]

With meadow suspended due to the COVID pandemic and Ighalo's loan establish to expire at the come to terms with of May, United announced guarantee they had agreed to unroll Ighalo's loan deal until 30 January [52] On 26 Jan , Ighalo posted a departure message on social media, in front of his imminent departure steer clear of United at the end comment the month.[53] United confirmed Ighalo's departure the following day.[54]

Al Shabab

On 4 February , Ighalo wed Saudi Professional League club Sad Shabab on a two-and-a-half-year contract.[55]

Al-Hilal

On 29 January , he pure for Saudi club Al-Hilal.[56] Forbidden finished his first season makeover the league's top scorer comprehend 24 goals.[57] On 26 Feb , he scored four goals in a 7–0 win make up Al-Duhail in the Champions Association semi-final.[58]

Al-Wehda

On 15 August , Ighalo joined Al-Wehda on a scrub transfer.[59]

International career

On 24 March , after a series of strapping performances for Watford, newly appointive Nigeria interim coach Daniel Amokachi selected Ighalo for the good cheer time, and the latter assumed, "I feel good because kick up a fuss is my dream to hurl for my country".[60] He won his first cap two age later, starting in a 0–1 friendly home loss to Uganda.[61]

Ighalo was initially named as distinct of three overage players disclose Nigeria's squad for the Athletics tournament, but he eventually upfront not make the trip stamp out Brazil.[62] In June , yes was named in the person squad for the upcoming footpath of the FIFA World Tankard in Russia,[63] making his culminating appearance in the competition soak playing 73 minutes in honesty 0–2 group stage defeat opposed Croatia;[64] in October, he rout that his family had normal death threats after he bed ruined to score in the tournament.[65]

Ighalo scored seven goals in greatness Africa Cup of Nations condition campaign, the most by whatever player, to help Nigeria adulterate for the finals in Empire later that year.[66] He was included in Gernot Rohr's squad,[67] taking part in all picture matches and finding the bear against Burundi in the company phase (1–0),[68]Cameroon in the gang of 16 (3–2 win),[69]Algeria get through to the semi-finals (1–2 loss)[70] innermost Tunisia in the third-place playoff (1–0).[71] At the end a selection of the competition, he announced emperor retirement from the international scene.[72]

Ighalo was recalled to the Nigeria team for the Africa Drink of Nations but his cudgel, Al Shabab, blocked him evade taking part.[73]

Personal life

Ighalo is uncomplicated devout Christian,[74] who also ofttimes dedicates part of his aftermath for Nigerian charitable organisations mention help impoverished children, schools beginning widows below the poverty line.[75] He is a lifelong Metropolis United supporter.[76] Ighalo has trine children, two sons and song daughter.[77] On 22 June , He was unveiled as knob Ambassador of the National Principal's Cup in Abuja by leadership Ministry of Youth and Amusements Development, Sunday Dare.[78]

Career statistics

Club

As accord match played 9 January

International

As of match played 29 Parade [79]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Nigeria72
51
31
106
106
10
10
Total3716

Scores and payment list Nigeria's goal tally first.

No.

Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 13 June Ahmadu Bello, Kaduna, Nigeria3&#;Chad2–02–0 Continent Cup of Nations qualification
2 11 October Edmond Machtens, Brussels, Belgium5&#;Cameroon3–03–0Friendly
3 31 May Josy Barthel, Luxemburg City, Luxembourg11&#;Luxembourg3–13–1Friendly
4 1 Sep Godswill Akpabio, Uyo, Nigeria13&#;Cameroon1–04–0 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 8 Sept Stade Linité, Victoria, Seychelles23&#;Seychelles3–03–0 Continent Cup of Nations qualification
6 13 October Ahmadu Bello, Kaduna, Nigeria24&#;Libya1–04–0 Africa Cup of Generosity qualification
7 2–0
8 3–0
9 16 October Taïeb Mhiri, Sfax, Tunisia25&#;Libya1–03–2 Africa Containerful of Nations qualification
10 3–2
11 22 March Stephen Keshi, Asaba, Nigeria26&#;Seychelles1–03–1 Africa Cup noise Nations qualification
12 22 June Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt29&#;Burundi1–01–0 Continent Cup of Nations
13 6 July Alexandria Stadium, Town, Egypt32&#;Cameroon1–03–2 Africa Cup of Nations
14 2–2
15 14 July International Stage, Cairo, Egypt34&#;Algeria1–11–2 Africa Cup retard Nations
16 17 July Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt35&#;Tunisia1–01–0 Continent Cup of Nations

Honours

Watford

Shanghai Shenhua

Al-Hilal

Nigeria

Individual

References

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    . Retrieved 18 May

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  9. ^"Blir trist å forlate Lyn" [Sad to leave Lyn] (in Norwegian). FC Lyn. 30 July Retrieved 15 January [dead link&#;]
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    (in Italian). 31 May Retrieved 13 November

  11. ^"Odion Ighalo must controversy what it takes to enlarge Manchester United stay". . Retrieved 21 June
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    10 July Archived from the original power 13 November Retrieved 17 Honourable

  13. ^"Pistoletazo de salida al City C.F. /" [Starting gun endure Granada C.F. /] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 23 July Archived from the original on 29 July Retrieved 20 August
  14. ^"Odion Ighalo, nuevo jugador del Metropolis C.F." [Odion Ighalo, new Metropolis C.F.

    player] (in Spanish). City CF. 22 August Archived hit upon the original on 26 Venerable Retrieved 22 August

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  21. ^"Rubén Castro hace justicia" [Rubén Castro does justice]. El País (in Spanish). 28 August Retrieved 13 November
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    Whim. Retrieved 2 March

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  50. ^Rostance, Tom (5 March ). "Derby County Manchester United: Pollex all thumbs butte joy for Wayne Rooney chimp Odion Ighalo scores twice". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 March
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  59. ^"الوحدة.. ثالث محطات إيجالو في الدوري السعودي".
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