Manchester United can confirm that Odion Ighalo will join on loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua until the end of the season.
A lifelong Reds supporter, the experienced 30-year-old centre-forward is set to bolster our squad for the second half of the campaign, as the club competes in the Premier League, UEFA Europa League and Emirates FA Cup.
Speaking about the loan deal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Odion is an experienced player. He will come in and give us an option of a different type of centre-forward for the short spell he’s staying with us.
“A great lad and very professional, he will make the most of his time here.”
✍ #MUFC can confirm that Odion Ighalo will join us on loan from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season.
Welcome, Odion! ?
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 1, 2020
Ighalo began his professional career in his native Nigeria with local clubs Prime and Julius Berger, before sealing a transfer to Norwegian side Lyn in 2007.
A year later, a move to Udinese in Italy eventually led to loan spells with Granada (twice), Cesena and Watford in the Premier League.
BREAKING: Manchester United have signed former Watford striker Odion Ighalo on loan until the end of the season.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 1, 2020
While at Vicarage Road with the Hornets, Ighalo impressively scored 40 goals from exactly 100 appearances across all competitions.
During that time he made three appearances against United and one at Old Trafford, losing twice and winning once, while also earning an assist.
Twitter reactions to Odion Ighalo signing
Solskjær has a plan…
1⃣ Sign Ighalo from China
2⃣ Sparks an outbreak of the coronavirus
3⃣ Football is suspended in the UK
4⃣ Liverpool don’t win the Premier League pic.twitter.com/YNnsfGOJNa— $u!£ (@ubasule_) February 1, 2020
Messi and Ronaldo’s goals in Afcon combined = 0
Ighalo Afcon Goals all time = 16
Ighalo >>> Messi and Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/AYhwDgLtkR— Moussa (@musaxv) February 1, 2020
Yes he wasn't first choice, maybe not even second or third. But he's ours now and I'm grateful to have him, because we're going to need him. He has qualities that our other forwards don't. Welcome Odion Ighalo, the first Nigerian to play for #mufc. Enjoy the ride brother. pic.twitter.com/WfzZJxMOit
— Rich (@UtdPotential) February 1, 2020
??Odion Ighalo has joined Manchester United on a 6-month loan from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua
• He ll become the first Nigerian to play for Red Devils
• He scored more ⚽ (30) than any player in the English top 4 Leagues in 2015
• Congrats Jude#DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/hOFKCoA2c6
— FAST TRACK (@FastTrackNaija) February 1, 2020
The Odion Ighalo Story
From Ajegunle to Manchester United pic.twitter.com/aZTEPT9vJL— Akinpelumi Akinboye (@theakinakinboye) February 1, 2020
Ighalo didn't replace lukaku
Lukaku wanted to leave, ighalo wanted to come
I know manchester united is a tradition
But the gods has spoken and its final pic.twitter.com/30I7xEHy6v— Philip Ogonna (@ogonna_philip) February 1, 2020
Give Ighalo a chance to prove himself. Last thing you want is to have a go at a player who is on a 6 month loan.
He's coming here to help us fight for Top 4. Let's back the man. pic.twitter.com/GzeDvFWMvL
— The United Link ? (@TheUnitedLink) February 1, 2020
