Manchester United sign Odion Ighalo: Nigerian striker says he took a pay cut to move from China to Old Trafford
Idion Oghalo says he had no hesitation in taking a big pay cut to seal a dream move to manchester United on deadline day.
The Nigeria international was a surprise target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a late move to Bournemouth's Josh King failed to come off, with the former Watford man coming in from China on loan.
Joining from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season, Ighalo is hardly the big-name striker United fans thought they'd be bringing in following an injury to Marcus Rashford which left them short of centre forward options.
Replacements had not come in to make up for the summer departures of Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku, while another failed move saw the Red Devils miss out on Erling Haaland.
Fans may be underwhelmed, but Ighalo is thrilled with the move, as he admitted to taking a big pay cut in order to move to Old Trafford.
"When we were young back in Nigeria we used to watch the Premier League on TV a lot, when the likes of Andy Cole used to play," the 30-year-old said.
Odion Ighalo specials (via Sky Bet)
- To score 6+ Premier League goals in 2019/20 season - 4/5
- To score 7+ Premier League goals in 2019/20 season - 6/4
- To score 8+ Premier League goals in 2019/20 season - 11/4
- To score 9+ Premier League goals in 2019/20 season - 5/1
- To score 10+ Premier League goals in 2019/20 season - 10/1
- To score 11+ Premier League goals in 2019/20 season - 16/1
- To score 12+ Premier League goals in 2019/20 season - 33/1
- To score 13+ Premier League goals in 2019/20 season - 80/1
"People support Man United a lot back there in Nigeria, so I developed that love, because all of my siblings, they are Man United fans.
"I never thought this was going to happen, but dreams do come true, so I'm very happy to be here and this is going to be a big and good challenge for me in my career."
Ighalo will become the first Nigerian to play for United, having rejected the overtures of other clubs as the deadline loomed.
Wages didn't come in to it
In fact, Ighalo was so determined to join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side that wages did not come into it.
"A few other clubs had shown interest," Ighalo said. "I said 'please, just pick United, if it's going to be possible'.
"At 11pm in Shanghai, my agent called me (to say) that United want to do the deal, so I woke up that night and started looking for a translator to go to the directors' room and hit his door and all that. 'My agent wants to speak to you, United are coming for me, you have to make this happen' and all that you know.
"I never thought this move would happen but dreams do come true." ♥️@IghaloJude's first #MUFC interview is a treat 👇
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 5, 2020
"So, they started talking and discussing. I didn't sleep throughout that night, because it was going to end at 7am, Shanghai time, and the transfer (window) is going to close there.
"So, from 11pm, there was paperwork, negotiating and all that, for the loan deal and all that, so we are talking and other teams are calling them, wanting me, but I told my agent that this is what I want. I want to come here.
"He said you're going to get a pay cut to go to United. I said I don't care. Make this deal happen. I want to go to United. I don't care how much is the pay cut, I know that, make it happen."
Ighalo's mother was in tears after her son's dream move, while there were parties on the streets he grew up in.
The PA news agency understands the striker is working to a personal fitness programme this week in a bid to get up to speed, having arrived into Manchester from China on Sunday.
Ighalo could face Chelsea
Ighalo, who will wear number 25 shirt, has the winter break to build his fitness ahead of United's Premier League trip to Chelsea on February 17 and believes he will offer something different to Solskjaer's attack.
"They have a striker that stays mostly in the middle, because (Anthony) Martial likes to come from the side, even Rashford and all that," he said, having called injured Rashford "one of the best, if not the best, player in Europe right now".
"So, you need someone in the middle that can keep the ball, hold the ball, because I've watched so many United games.
Ole on Manchester United signing Ighalo
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 1, 2020
🗣"It wasn't long ago he was the top scorer in Africa Nations cup" pic.twitter.com/EgnGxqj0Wc
"So, they need a physicality there up front to keep the ball, to give and to make some movement, which I believe, if everything goes well, I can add to the team."
Ighalo promised "to add my own path to make sure the season finishes well for United" and could think of nothing better than ending his loan with silverware.
"Wow," he told MUTV. "I don't know what I'm going to say about that because talking about it is different to when you win it and the emotions, the joy and the happiness that comes.
"So, it's going to be a lifetime experience, it's going to be something I'm going to cherish all the years of my life because not only playing for Manchester United, but winning a trophy with them, is something different that's going to be in my memories all my life."
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