New signing at Shanghai Greenland Shenhua of China, Odion Jude Ighalo says the move that takes him away from relegated Changchun Yatai of China is suitable for him on emotional and professional levels.
While it is an opportunity to keep playing in the Chinese Super League, rather than follow Yatai down to the second-tier division, sports247.ng can report that Ighalo is equally excited that he will play under the coach who handled him during his days at Watford of England.
After signing the dotted lines in a three-year deal, which will run until the end of the 2021 season at the club that once had fellow-Nigerian striker, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins, Ighalo says he is happy to reunite with Spanish tactician, Quique Sánchez Flores at Shanghai Shenhua.
Flores has been in the search for a replacement for Senegalese star, Demba Ba, would also consider himself lucky to grab Ighalo, who had a famous run of goals while playing under him for two seasons in England.
Changchun Yatai will also be happy to get €15m and two Chinese players from Shenhua in the deal for Ighalo, who started training with his new team on Thursday and will don jersey number nine in the squad.
During his time at Yatai, Ighalo, who has 10 goals in 25 appearances for the Super Eagles, hit home 36 goals in 55 games across two seasons.
Ighalo stated on social media: “I am happy to reunite with my former manager at Watford.
It’s important to sort my club future and I’m happy that it comes with a great opportunity to play under coach Quique again.
“He made it clear that he wanted me and I completely understand what that means.”
