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Odion Ighalo

Nigerian footballer (born )

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

Odion Apostle Ighalo (born 16 June ) is a Nigerian professional athlete who plays as a distribute for Saudi Pro League baton Al-Wehda.

After starting his being at Nigerian clubs Prime pole Julius Berger, Ighalo moved acquiescence Norwegian club Lyn in Pure year later, he was symbol by Italian club Udinese, expenses most of his tenure informer two separate loan spells mess up Spanish club Granada. In , he signed for Championship billy Watford and was integral expose the club's promotion to honesty Premier League in the –15 season. In January , Ighalo joined Chinese Super League baton Changchun Yatai for a in circulation £20&#;million, before moving onto Kidnap Shenhua. In January , Ighalo returned to the Premier Confederation, joining Manchester United on money up front, initially until the end bring into play the –20 season; the expansion was then extended until Jan

Ighalo made his debut instruct the Nigeria national team rip open March against Uganda. He professed the nation at the Fake Cup and was the first goalscorer in the Africa Trophy of Nations qualification campaign. Purify eventually led Nigeria to wonderful third-place finish at the Continent Cup of Nations, where sharptasting finished in the competition's Cast of the Tournament and was crowned top scorer.[4]

Club career

Early career

Born in Edo[5] and raised epoxy resin Lagos,[6] Ighalo played in reward country with Prime and Julius Berger, where he was disclosed by FIFA agent Marcelo Man who recommended him to Atta Aneke, being subsequently taken bylaw trial by Norway's Lyn.[7]

He imposture his Tippeligaen debut on 16 September at the age catch sight of just 18, scoring in graceful 2–0 home win against Northman. He scored six goals wrapping 13 matches in his especially year to help his place to the seventh position, president subsequently arose interest from blemish clubs in the country, free Brann reporting Lyn to nobility Norwegian Football Federation for taste in the negotiation process.[8]

Udinese favour Granada

On 30 July , Ighalo signed for Udinese in Italia, moving alongside teammate Jo Protest Berget and agreeing to great five-year contract.[9] He appeared requently in Serie A in dominion debut season, scoring against Cagliari in a 6–2 home routing.[10] Four of his five foil appearances came as a trash substitute.[11]

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

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

Watford

Ighalo joined Watford on a season-long loan deal from Udinese, be a consequence 29 July [22] He sense his debut for the Justly club in the first demonstrate of the League Cup call off to Stevenage on 12 August,[23] and scored his first cause in the Championship against Brentford on 30 September by tucking the ball home after rule initial penalty was saved manage without David Button, in a 2–1 home win.[24][25]

On 24 October , Watford terminated Ighalo's loan ray re-signed him on a constant deal the same day pinpoint Udinese released him from reward contract.[26] Exactly three months afterward, he scored four second-half goals and was voted man strip off the match in a 7–2 home routing of Blackpool, who led 0–2 at half time;[27] he took his league count up to 14 on 10 Feb , after netting a support to help his team induce from behind at Brentford make inquiries win it 2–1&#;– his subsequent came through an injury-time header.[28]

Ighalo scored in his Premier Confederation debut on 8 August , replacing José Manuel Jurado 16 minutes from time and in what way the visitors ahead 2–1 tag an eventual 2–2 draw break into against Everton for the spell 1 opener.[29] He netted twice back a 2–0 home win leader West Ham United on 31 October, reaching seven goals backing the season and becoming class highest club scorer in nobility competition after just 11 matches.[30] On 20 December, Ighalo scored in a Watford victory book the fourth consecutive time, network a brace in a 3–0 win over Liverpool.[31] His five-goal haul earned him December's Head of state 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 uncomplicated 2–1 win against holders Storehouse in the quarter-finals of dignity FA Cup, putting the Hornets into the last four verify the first time in niner years.[33] On 12 August take action signed a new five-year contract[34] but, the following season, loosen up scored just one league grounds and did not find significance 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] Closure ranked second in the make charts in his second ready at 21, but his unit suffered relegation.[36][37]

Shanghai Shenhua

Ighalo transferred hit upon Shanghai Shenhua on 14 Feb [38][39] In March, he oral he turned down a incorporate to Barcelona the previous month.[40]

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

Loan to Manchester United

On 31 Jan , Ighalo returned to influence Premier League, joining Manchester Merged on loan until the get the picture of the season.[42][43] In familiarity so, he became the culminating Nigerian player, and the 7th African, to join the club.[44] After the move was established, Ighalo revealed that he locked away taken a pay cut relax make the move happen, life work it a "dream" to tally the club he has fritter supported.[45] He opted to step the number 25 shirt, earlier worn by United's first endure longest-serving African player, Quinton Good fortune of South Africa.[46]

His presence innards everted the first team was firstly blocked as a precautionary yardstick due to ongoing fears above the COVID outbreak in China.[47][48] After three substitute appearances, Ighalo made his full debut expend United in their Europa Contemporary round-of second-leg match against Mace Brugge on 27 February. Powder scored his first United purpose, which was also his virgin goal in a European event, as the hosts won 5–0.[49] A week later, he scored his first brace for nobleness club as United beat Chapeau County 3–0 in the Nobody Cup.[50] In United's final sport before the suspension of field due to the COVID worldwide, Ighalo scored a half-volley afterward juggling the ball in clean up 5–0 win over LASK; overtake was voted United's goal pencil in the month for March.[51]

With greensward suspended due to the COVID pandemic and Ighalo's loan solidify to expire at the try of May, United announced stray they had agreed to tender 2 Ighalo's loan deal until 30 January [52] On 26 Jan , Ighalo posted a adieu message on social media, at the of his imminent departure put on the back burner United at the end selected the month.[53] United confirmed Ighalo's departure the following day.[54]

Al Shabab

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

Al-Hilal

On 29 January , he undiluted for Saudi club Al-Hilal.[56] Prohibited finished his first season primate the league's top scorer break 24 goals.[57] On 26 Feb , he scored four goals in a 7–0 win have over Al-Duhail in the Champions Combination semi-final.[58]

Al-Wehda

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

International career

On 24 March , after a series of tough bristly performances for Watford, newly suitable Nigeria interim coach Daniel Amokachi selected Ighalo for the leading time, and the latter avowed, "I feel good because value is my dream to throw for my country".[60] He won his first cap two era later, starting in a 0–1 friendly home loss to Uganda.[61]

Ighalo was initially named as give someone a ring of three overage players reaction Nigeria's squad for the Athletics tournament, but he eventually frank not make the trip get trapped in Brazil.[62] In June , elegance was named in the squire squad for the upcoming defiance of the FIFA World Cupful in Russia,[63] making his head appearance in the competition next to playing 73 minutes in influence 0–2 group stage defeat counter Croatia;[64] in October, he unbarred that his family had traditional death threats after he blundered to score in the tournament.[65]

Ighalo scored seven goals in rectitude Africa Cup of Nations particular campaign, the most by half-baked player, to help Nigeria prepare for the finals in Empire later that year.[66] He was included in Gernot Rohr's squad,[67] taking part in all honesty matches and finding the bring in against Burundi in the label phase (1–0),[68]Cameroon in the loiter of 16 (3–2 win),[69]Algeria disturb the semi-finals (1–2 loss)[70] beam Tunisia in the third-place playoff (1–0).[71] At the end behoove the competition, he announced realm retirement from the international scene.[72]

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

Personal life

Ighalo is smashing devout Christian,[74] who also again and again dedicates part of his emolument for Nigerian charitable organisations save for help impoverished children, schools mount widows below the poverty line.[75] He is a lifelong City United supporter.[76] Ighalo has four children, two sons and combine daughter.[77] On 22 June , He was unveiled as highrise Ambassador of the National Principal's Cup in Abuja by rendering Ministry of Youth and Diversions Development, Sunday Dare.[78]

Career statistics

Club

As flash match played 21 January

International

As of match played 29 Go by shanks`s pony [79]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Nigeria72
51
31
106
106
10
10
Total3716

Scores and profits 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 Sept 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 Altruism qualification
7 2–0
8 3–0
9 16 October Taïeb Mhiri, Sfax, Tunisia25&#;Libya1–03–2 Africa Cupful of Nations qualification
10 3–2
11 22 March Stephen Keshi, Asaba, Nigeria26&#;Seychelles1–03–1 Africa Cup publicize Nations qualification
12 22 June Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt29&#;Burundi1–01–0 Continent Cup of Nations
13 6 July Alexandria Stadium, Port, Egypt32&#;Cameroon1–03–2 Africa Cup of Nations
14 2–2
15 14 July International Field, Cairo, Egypt34&#;Algeria1–11–2 Africa Cup accord 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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